Walcott answers the Arsenal call

THIS was supposed to be all about an exciting forward player, revelling in his youth and capable of changing games on his own.

And so it was. The surprise, however, was that it was Theo Walcott and not Lionel Messi who ultimately played the decisive role in a thrilling tie that could yet go either way.

Not that Walcott is anywhere near the Argentine in terms of his ability and achievements in his career so far.