Arsenal star Theo Walcott says James Beattie was his inspiration as he coolly converted his penalty in last night's shootout in Rome.

Walcott played with the Stoke City striker at Southampton and revealed: "It was my first penalty shootout," he said. "I had a dry throat going towards the goal but I didn't look at the keeper once. I learned that from James Beattie. He's one of the best penalty takers I've seen.

"I didn't want to look at the keeper because sometimes they might put you off a little bit."