Walcott has Messi magic, says Fabregas

CESC FABREGAS believes fellow teenager Theo Walcott is as good as Barcelona’s young star Lionel Messi after watching his team-mate inspire Arsenal to move within touching distance of the Champions League knockout stages.

With Tuesday night’s match against Hamburg at the Emirates Stadium locked at 1-1 and the Gunners in real danger of seeing their European dreams fade the 17-year-old came off the bench to light up the clash.

Walcott’s electric pace and dynamism helped set up full-back Emmanuel Eboue to put Arsenal ahead before the teenager’s run and cross gifted on-loan Real Madrid midfielder Julio Baptista his first goal for the club two minutes from time.