Former Aston Villa central defender Olof Mellberg is tipping a big 2010 for Arsenal star Theo Walcott.

After a spell at Juventus, the Swedish star moved to Olympiakos in Athens and was in the team that beat a youthful Arsenal outfit 1-0 last Wednesday to qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League.

Mellberg told the Sunday Mirror: "He will get better and better the more big matches in which he plays.

"I would think that is what his manager Arsene Wenger wants. The atmospheres at big games will help."

Walcott was frequently in head-to-head duels with Mellberg last Wednesday as he moved across the front line from wing to wing - and also featured occasionally as an authentic front man.

Mellberg won more tussles than he lost, but he finds that understandable.

He said: "Theo might not have had a great game, but the way we played did not help him. We knew about how quick he is and so we stayed very compact. There was not a lot of space behind for him, but he still has that pace.

"And he is still young and he has all the talent you need. I am sure he will get sharper the more he plays.

"He'll have a big season for Arsenal and England."