Come and join us, Henry tells Walcott

Thierry Henry has pleaded with teenage striker Theo Walcott to join Arsenal.

The Gunners are locked in a battle with Chelsea for the 16-year-old Southampton sensation.

Henry said: “There are a lot of teams trying to get him but if he can join us then I would welcome him here and he would be a benefit.

“People are saying there are similarities (between the pair) and it’s good to hear what he said about me.

“I first saw him play in the Youth Cup and I saw him as a player with great pace and a lot of tricks.

“I’ve also seen him play this year. I can’t even remember what I was like as a player when I was that age so it’s difficult to say.

“But he’s a young player with a lot of desire and skills who obviously loves to play football.”

Southampton confirmed yesterday they have received offers from two ‘top Premiership clubs’ for Walcott and are expecting a third shortly.

Arsenal had a bid, believed to be £12m (€17.5m), rejected at the weekend but manager Arsene Wenger is hopeful a successful conclusion can be reached.

Saints chairman Rupert Lowe admitted the club had received two bids.

“We have now received a couple of offers and the indications are another may follow,” he told www.saintsfc.co.uk.

“These have not been accepted or rejected at this stage.”