Sunderland fullback George McCartney has given an insight on how you tackle Arsenal superkid Theo Walcott.

In his column for the Daily Mail, McCartney wrote: "I had faced Theo Walcott twice before but never from the first whistle. This time his recent form had earned him promotion to the starting line-up and set me a challenge to test my concentration and discipline to the limit.

"There is an instant dilemma when you are up against him. Do you stick close to him when it looks like the ball is heading his way or step back and give yourself a few yards breathing space?

"I remember watching a game last season that illustrated the pitfalls of the first option: Arsenal's midfield saw he was tightly marked and knocked the ball into space behind the full back for Theo to run on to. No one is going to catch him in a sprint over 20 yards or so...

"The other danger of being like a second shadow is that he can spin and take the ball past you, leaving you to hope your speed is as sharp as his. Some hope!

"Not that option two is foolproof. If you stand off too far, he'll be in overdrive while you are still moving through the gears. You can't get too tight but, equally, you mustn't give him too much space.

"Somewhere in between - where you're close enough to get a tackle in but have a crucial yard start if he knocks it down the line - and you might have a chance.

"It helps if the early exchanges go your way. Wingers tend to be at the mercy of confidence more than most and I could sense Theo's dipping after I hit him with a couple of clean early challenges, and he even set up a chance for us."