THEO WALCOTT and Hector Bellerin endured a fierce rivalry at Arsenal, revealed ex-captain Per Mertesacker.

The pair both made a name for themselves with their blistering pace in North London, burning past opponents like they were not there.

But it turns out the pair were equally as desperate to get the better of each other in training, refusing to settle for second-best.

Mertesacker told The Athletic: "Hector and Theo Walcott were locked in a constant battle for clocking up the fastest sprint numbers at Arsenal.

"It was a big rivalry — a bit like (sprinters) Carl Lewis and Ben Johnson in the 1980s.

"Hector and Theo could not take being second-best.

"If one of them finished ahead by second or so, the other one would insist on trying again to do a faster time."

Bellerin and Walcott lined up in the first team together for three-and-a-half seasons after the Spanish right-back broke into the senior squad in 2014/15.

But Mertesacker unveiled there was an ultimate champion…

He concluded: "Hector was just that little bit faster."

Mertesacker was mercilessly rinsed for his distinct lack of pace during his time in the Premier League and his speed on FIFA was a constant source of entertainment if playing against him.

But the big German, 35, insists he was a bit of a surprise package during the drills at London Colney.

He added: "I always did better at those running tests than people expected, over the first ten metres at least.

"I only needed three long steps to get there. Over 30 metres, it was more difficult for me."

Walcott left Arsenal in January 2018, moving to Everton for £20million, while Mertesacker hung up his boots at the end of the season to take on the role as academy manager.

Bellerin, however, is still the last man standing in the Arsenal first team.

He has just worked his way back to fitness after suffering a serious knee injury in January and will be desperate he has not lost a yard of pace, especially with a trip to Goodison Park on the horizon just before Christmas.

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