Theo Walcott issues Arsenal warning over this striker

​Theo Walcott insists Arsenal are ready for the prospect of facing their nemesis Didier Drogba in Thursday’s pre-season game between the Gunners and an all-star MLS side.

The Chelsea legend had an impressive record against Arsene Wenger’s side during a decorated career and his two spells at Stamford Bridge.​

​Drogba even managed to score against the Gunners during Galatasaray’s pre-season win against Arsenal in The Emirates Cup in 2014.

​The Ivory Coast striker’s former Chelsea team-mate Petr Cech is now Arsenal’s number one, which has added further spice to the rivalry.

And Walcott, who took part in Arsenal’s training session at Spartan Stadium in San Jose on Wednesday, spoke about the challenge Wenger’s side face against Drogba.

“There’s so many great players. There’s Didier,” Walcott told reporters in San Jose.

“He always loved scoring against us so we have to make sure that doesn’t happen.”

Walcott added: “Well the defenders will be stopping him [of course].

“He has always managed to score against us. He has that rivalry with Petr Cech from their time together at Chelsea.

“He has a very good goal-scoring record wherever he has been. He is going to be a very difficult player to handle.”

Drogba is one of the headline acts for the MLS’s all-star side alongside AC Milan legend Kaka, Italian midfielder Andrea Pirlo and Spain centre-forward David Villa.

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Arsenal finished in second place in the Premier League table last season despite a largely disappointing campaign for the north London side.

The Gunners haven’t won the Premier League title since 2004.