The 18-year-old England international has impressed during the build-up to the new campaign, with manager Arsene Wenger admitting the winger was now in "much better shape" to play a major role for the Gunners.

The teenager found himself thrust into the spotlight following a potential $30million move from Southampton in January 2006 and was a controversial inclusion in Sven-Goran Eriksson's World Cup squad when he had yet to make his Arsenal debut.

Walcott chalked up more than 30 first-team appearances last season, and scored his first goal for the Gunners in the Carling Cup final.

Although back in the under-21s following the arrival of new England boss Steve McClaren, the pacey forward was ruled out of this summer's European Championships because of the need for shoulder surgery.

New coach Stuart Pearce hopes the Gunners will give one of his key men more competitive action, which Wenger indicated is highly likely as his side look to make an impact on the title race once again.

Van Persie has found himself the centre of attention following some sharp performances in front of goal in both the Emirates Cup and Amsterdam Tournament.

With former captain Thierry Henry sold to Barcelona over the summer, the Dutchman - back after five months out with a broken metatarsal in January - is likely to be seen as the main threat for the Gunners nest season.

However, van Persie firmly believes Walcott will be another to watch out for when the new campaign kicks off against Fulham this weekend.

"I have been practising with Theo since June 18 and I can assure you that he is up for it big time," van Persie told www.Arsenal.com.

"When we were doing tests over the summer it was very hard. We were running every day with the fitness coach and I could see it in his face he was really going for it."

Van Persie, who turned 24 earlier this week, feels Walcott's burning ambition can help him achieve great things with the Gunners.

"Theo is a young man - but he has big, big ambitions for himself to show his qualities," said the Dutchman.

"His ambition is one of the biggest things about him. He is just 18, but I see in him a big, big desire achieve his goals."

Wenger is set to be without striker Emmanuel Adebayor against Fulham, the Togo international working his way back to full fitness from a groin problem picked up during the training camp in Austria.

Midfielder Gilberto is also not yet in contention, having only just returned to training following an extended break after Brazil'sCopa America triumph.

That could mean a full home debut for summer signing Eduardo da Silva, although Wenger also looked at pressing Alexander Hleb in behind van Persie during the pre-season matches.

Arsenal face a hectic start to the new campaign. Following the game against Fulham - put back to noon on Sunday because of engineering work on the Victoria underground line - the Gunners will head to the Czech Republic for the first leg of their Champions League qualifier against Sparta Prague.

That has already caused the rearrangement of the trip to Newcastle, although at least the clash at Blackburn will now not take place until Sunday, August 19 because of Rovers' own European commitments.