Theo Walcott laughed off suggestions from his son that he should re-sign for Arsenal, which prompted a swift reaction from Mikel Arteta.
The 33-year-old is entering into his second full season at Southampton, having joined the club from Everton on a permanent deal last summer. However, Walcott made just 12 appearances in all competitions last term and failed to grab either a goal or an assist in the process.
It is safe to say Walcott has struggled for form ever since leaving Arsenal in 2018. He scored just 11 times in 85 matches for the Toffees, notching a further three goals during a season-long loan switch to Saints.
Walcott, who grabbed 108 goals and 78 assists in 397 games during a 12-year stint at the Gunners, bumped into his former Arsenal teammate Arteta last week and the pair got talking. During his chat with the Spaniard, his son asked the Emirates boss to re-sign his dad due to his experience in the game.
Walcott told talkSPORT: "Everyone is entitled to their opinion and I understand some fans may have a different approach on how Mikel has dealt with the situations this season. For me personally, I feel he's trying to get a similar sort of vibes to Arsene [Wenger] and trying to bring those back to the club.
"That tradition of how Arsene dealt with the fans and media, I think he wants that back. He's young and hungry, I was speaking to his wife and she was saying she doesn't really see him. He has that much work ethic and she doesn't want him to work for too long as she doesn't see him.
"He was a player who worked so hard, so I can imagine as a manager he is relentless and is always thinking. I’m a big fan, so is my son actually. Arlo said to Mikel, 'you should sign my daddy because you need an older player in the dressing room'. I was like, 'oh, thanks Arlo!' I think it just went over his head."
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The former England international also shared an update on his own future after a frustrating campaign with fitness and illness concerns at the Saints. Walcott added: "What can I share with you? I can share it’s a nice peaceful home at the moment with the kids at school.
"I’ve started my pre-season work. Saints give us a lot of things to keep fit. I need to do a lot anyway as I didn’t play much last season, for whatever reason. I was looking after myself to keep up with the young lads.
"I’m intrigued with what is next to be honest. I’m looking forward to pre-season. I think it’s probably my 20th, I’ve lost count."
