Arsenal's Theo Walcott is set to become a published author after writing two stories on the familiar subject of a hero schoolboy footballing wonderkid, whose life closely mirrors that of the author's!

Walcott, 20, who returned to action in Arsenal's 1-0 UEFA Champions League defeat by Olympiacos following another injury lay-off, penned the stories for fun, and presumably as a stop-gap for when he releases his memoirs.

The books recount the adventures of protagonist TJ, who arrives at a new school and falls in love with football, before going on to relive many things that Walcott himself experienced as a young footballer.

In fact, the Gunners winger himself was even nicknamed 'TJ' at school, while he helped to make a name for himself as a footballing wonderkid by scoring over 100 goals in a single season for local side AFC Newbury.

First called up the the England squad at the tender age of 17, Walcott hopes that his inspirational tales will appeal to both boys and girls, and explained that reading had always been a passion of his as a nipper.

"Books played an important part in our family life as I was growing up," he told The Sun.

Meanwhile, Philippa Dickinson, boss of Random House Children's Books, the label that will publish Walcott's yarns, revealed that she was excited to have the England winger on board.

"Theo is incredibly talented. We are thrilled," she exclaimed.

While a 'source' for The Sun added: "It's every kid's dream to be selected to play for their country. Because Theo managed it so young he is a huge inspiration to kids everywhere."