Arsenal winger Theo Walcott is enjoying playing with in-form skipper Robin van Persie.

Walcott has received plenty of criticism for his performances over the past two seasons but he has made seven Premier League assists in 2011 - all setting up goals for Van Persie.

Both players have had injury problems in recent seasons and Walcott is delighted that a clear run of fitness for the pair of them means they are finally able to play regularly together.

"For me, Robin is one of the best strikers in the world at the moment," said Walcott, who seems to have struck up a near telepathic relationship with Van Persie.

"We just love playing together. Over the past few years, he's had his injuries, I've had my injuries and we've never been able to sustain a run of games together.

"But now you can see some signs, especially this year, that we just know each other and where the other one is going to be on the pitch. It makes my job easier, everyone else's job easier and he's a great leader as well which is so important."