Arsenal forward Theo Walcott is wary of the threat posed by new Southampton signing Charlie Austin, a player he used to line up alongside as a youngster.
Walcott was in same team as Austin at under-11 level when featuring for the Newbury and District Primary Schools FA.
Austin, 26, is set to face Walcott on Tuesday when Arsenal host the former's new side Southampton, who he joined from QPR in January.
Walcott's career path saw him catch the eye as a youngster at Southampton before leaving for Arsenal in 2006, while Austin, a former bricklayer, has played for Swindon, Burnley and QPR, prior to his move to the Saints.
"He was playing for Newbury when I joined them," Walcott said in the London Evening Standard. "People were telling me about Charlie, saying I wouldn't get into the team. But later, he began training with Reading so Newbury were pleased to have me there, ready to come in.
"I think in my first season, I scored something like 90 goals. Football is different at that age, obviously, although I wish it was like that now!
"Later on, he came back to District and we played up front as a pairing. We hit it off and worked really well together. We went our separate ways but we enjoyed playing together back then."
Looking ahead to this week's match at Emirates Stadium, Walcott said of Austin: "He is a great signing for them but we have done our homework.
"We need to make sure we deal with Charlie if he starts or not. Long, who played against us last time, did very well. They have Graziano Pelle so there are great options for them."