Theo Walcott signed a new Arsenal contract last month Photo: Nike

Arsene Wenger has revealed that Arsenal tried to sign Theo Walcott and Gareth Bale together from Southampton back in 2006.

The Frenchman brought a 16-year-old Walcott to north London from the Saints but failed in his attempts to also lure the Welsh winger to the Gunners.

“It was Walcott and Bale [at Southampton] and we were at some stage [considering] taking the two if possible,” Wenger said.

“We could get Walcott and I am very happy we got him. If I tell you the number of players we did not sign who we should have signed, you would be amazed. But it is the same for every single club, you miss players.”

Bale has been in superb for for Tottenham this season, scoring all of Spurs’ last six goals, including a free-kick brace in Thursday night’s Europa League win over Lyon to take his tally to 17 for the campaign.

But Walcott has been enjoying an similarly impressive run, with the 23-year-old having netted 18 goals in 30 appearances for the Gunners this term.

Bale’s stunning displays have led some to claim that he is only behind Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as one of the best players in the world.

But Wenger believes that the Wales international still has some way to go before he can be compared to the La Liga duo.

“I wouldn’t go as far as that,” said Wenger when asked if Bale is on a similar level to Messi and Ronaldo.

“He has the potential to develop and become like the players that you compare him to. But Ronaldo and Messi, Messi has won two or three Champions League, a few championships, scored 95 goals in a year.

“Let’s not go too quick. You are always very quick [to build someone up], but let’s slow down a little bit.”