Walcott was famously handed a place in Sven-Goran Eriksson's squad for the 2006 World Cup despite not playing a first-team game for the Gunners.

At just 17, the winger apparently was too starstruck to show any signs of true ability and returned home without featuring for a single minute.

It took Walcott some time to recover. However, he stamped his mark on the England picture once more with his memorable hat-trick against Croatia in Zagreb two years ago and although he suffered heartbreak earlier this year when he failed to make the squad for South Africa, he now seems to have established himself in Fabio Capello's plans once more.

On the evidence of the past few months, Wilshere and Gibbs should have a far easier transition.

Wilshere is picking up plenty of experience for Arsenal as Capello handles his elevation by shunting him between England's senior and Under-21 squads.

Gibbs' position is even more straightforward.

The 20-year-old knows he will have to force his way into Arsene Wenger's starting line-up on a regular basis if he is to be considered a significant figure in Capello's short-term plans.

"Yes, their extra experience does help," Walcott told www.thefa.com.

"For me it was completely out of the blue going to the World Cup in 2006 especially as I'd not played in the Premier League.

"I have always believed that if you're good enough you're old enough to play even in the Premier League.

"Gibbsy and Jack have been doing fantastically well when they get the opportunity to play and that is going to continue for years to come, I believe.

"I'm looking forward to playing with both of them for a long time.

"It would be good to see three English lads playing for Arsenal. It would be great for the fans to watch, too. Hopefully we can bring back those memories of the successful Arsenal days of the past."

As they combine on England duty this week for Wednesday's friendly with France, there is a growing sense that they could be enjoying combined glory for the Gunners this term.

After five seasons without any silverware, Wenger still has all the prizes in his sights this term.

Arsenal's Champions League quest should comfortably survive an unexpected defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk earlier this month, while Wigan at the Emirates Stadium does not appear to represent too much of an obstacle to their hopes of reaching the semi-final of the Carling Cup.

But it is the title that the north London giants would love to see back on the mantelpiece.

And whilst the season has not been without its setbacks, including surprise home defeats to West Brom and Newcastle, a decisive victory at Everton was the perfect way to take advantage of the combined failures of Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City on another strange weekend of results.

"It's looking very bright for us at the moment," said Walcott.

"Sunderland did us a favour on Sunday but we don't want to have to look at other people upsetting Chelsea.

"We have to concentrate on ourselves and try to get as many points on the board as we can before Christmas.

"The Premier League has always been competitive and no game is easy.

"A lot of the manager and players get their job right when they go to the big clubs like Arsenal, United and Chelsea and make it hard to break teams down.

"But that is what the Premier League is about. That's why it's such a fantastic league, the best league in the world."

Saturday's north London derby should offer further clues about Arsenal's durability, although this week's England outing should prevent anyone dwelling on the meeting with Tottenham.

It may be a friendly but for an Arsenal player, meeting France always has special significance, with Gibbs admitting the lure of a former Gunner made Les Bleus his team of choice during his formative years.

"I grew up watching France when they were the best team in the world, with Thierry Henry and Zinedine Zidane," he said.

"I watched them more when Zidane was playing because I was quite a big fan of his.

"I really enjoyed watching him and it will be great to get a chance to play against some big players."

Wenger is bound to be an interested observer too, not least because he has so many players straddling the cross-Channel divide.

"Arsene has given me everything," he said.

"He is the reason I've been picked for England in the first place."