Arsenal superkid Theo Walcott has revealed how a stingy boss almost prevented his Dad from seeing him make his senior debut for Southampton.

Walcott recalled to the News of the World: "My dad lost his job for me. When I played for Southampton, Harry Redknapp told me before the Leeds game I was going to start so I rang my dad.

"He asked for a day off and his boss wouldn't allow him to have a day off. His boss actually said it's either your son or his job.

"It wasn't a choice and that sort of thing gives me an extra incentive to do well for my father and the whole family."