Arsenal striker Robin van Persie maintains ex-Saints starlet Theo Walcott is "up for it big time" this season.

The 18-year-old England international has impressed during the build-up to the new campaign, with manager Arsene Wenger admitting the winger was now in "much better shape" to play a major role for the Gunners.

The teenager found himself thrust into the spotlight following a potential £12million move from Saints in January 2006 and was a controversial inclusion in Sven-Goran Eriksson's World Cup squad when he had yet to make his Arsenal debut.

Walcott chalked up more than 30 first-team appearances last season, and scored his first goal for the Gunners in the Carling Cup final.

Although back in the under-21s following the arrival of new England boss Steve McClaren, the pacey forward was ruled out of this summer's European Championships because of the need for shoulder surgery.

New coach Stuart Pearce hopes the Gunners will give one of his key men more competitive action, which Wenger indicated is highly likely as his side look to make an impact on the title race once again.

Van Persie has found himself the centre of attention following some sharp performances in front of goal in both the Emirates Cup and Amsterdam Tournament.

With former captain Thierry Henry sold to Barcelona over the summer, the Dutchman - back after five months out with a broken metatarsal in January - is likely to be seen as the main threat for the Gunners nest season.

However, van Persie firmly believes Walcott will be another to watch out for when the new campaign kicks off against Fulham this weekend.

"I have been practising with Theo since June 18 and I can assure you that he is up for it big time," van Persie said.

"When we were doing tests over the summer it was very hard. We were running every day with the fitness coach and I could see it in his face he was really going for it."

Van Persie, who turned 24 earlier this week, feels Walcott's burning ambition can help him achieve great things with the Gunners.

"Theo is a young man - but he has big, big ambitions for himself to show his qualities," said the Dutchman.

"His ambition is one of the biggest things about him. He is just 18, but I see in him a big, big desire achieve his goals".

Saints will be hoping Walcott makes a real impact this season - every time he makes a first team appearance they earn more money.