Walcott, then 16, had already helped Southampton dump the Gunners out the competition in the fifth round before starring in the final defeat to Ipswich.

Wenger had seen enough and beat competition from rivals Tottenham, Chelsea and Liverpool to sign Walcott the following January.

"At the time, he had the choice. Spurs, Chelsea and Liverpool were all interested," Wenger told the club's official website.

"I watched him in one special game against Ipswich in the FA Youth Cup final. We had sent scouts to watch him maybe 50 times, but after that of course I have to be convinced as well.

"The first quality that stood out was the timing of his runs; when to go and when not to go. Sometimes you have players who are super quick, but you don't see it in their game because they don't run at the right time, they don't use their asset."