Arsenal speed merchant Theo Walcott challenges Hector Bellerin to a race to who is the quickest

Bellerin filmed himself running past Walcott and has provoked a challenge from the England forward to meet him on the field

Theo Walcott has challenged Hector Bellerin to a race to see who is quicker (Getty Images)

It’s the battle every Arsenal fan wants to see. No, not Arsene Wenger taking years of fierce criticism out on Piers Morgan, but a foot race between speedsters Theo Walcott and Hector Bellerin.

The young full-back has been vocal in his boasts that he is quicker than Walcott, who has been regarded as one, if not the fastest player in the Premier League since his move to Arsenal back in 2006.

But after the Barcelona academy product filmed himself running past the England international shouting “Look I am quicker than Theo”, Walcott has responded to lay down the gauntlet and put an end to the question that has plagued the Emirates for the last two years.

“Hector is saying he’s quicker than me,” responded Walcott. “I want to see you on the field at some point and we’ll have a race and see who’s quickest yeah?”

The pair were both in good spirits on Friday as Bellerin took charge of Arsenal’s snapchat channel to answer fans’ questions, and they will both hope the good times continue when they face Premier League title rivals Manchester City on Monday night in what could prove to be a pivotal fixture over the course of the season.

Theo Walcott and Hector Bellerin will have a race to see who is quickest at Arsenal (Getty Images)

Arsenal are coming off last weekend’s comfortable 2-0 win over Aston Villa, while City needed a late winner against Swansea to remain one point off the Gunners, who in turn are two points behind leaders Leicester.