Cool-hand Theo has 'touch of Thierry' as Arsenal go seven up

Manchester United also made it three wins out of three with a 4-2 victory over Dynamo Kiev in Ukraine.

Walcott's first goal - Arsenal's third - came courtesy of a suicidal back-pass by Slavia full back Daniel Pudil.

But if there was a touch of fortune about Walcott's first, there was more than a hint of Thierry Henry in his second as the 18-year-old outpaced his marker before finishing with the outside of his right boot.

Manager Arsene Wenger said: "It took him a while to get into the game. Once he scored we saw more of him. There was a touch of Thierry in the second. He does not panic in front of goal. He has improved a lot.

"He has good ingredients - intelligence, fantastic pace - and his technique is improving."

Walcott admitted his relief at finally getting off the mark at the Emirates.

Dedicating his first goal to the brother of his brother-in-law who died recently, Walcott said: "People will say the second goal was like a Thierry Henry finish and I watched him in training all the time. I had a chance tonight and I took it."

Cesc Fabregas also scored twice, Alexander Hleb scored one and forced an own goal and Nicklas Bendtner completed the rout to equal Arsenal's biggest win in Europe - at Standard Liege in the Cup-winners' Cup in 1993.

But despite the fantastic start, Wenger stressed the need to stay calm.

He added: "Two months ago, I was crazy not to buy players and we were not expected to finish in the top seven.

"We have no reason to get carried away. The same people who said we will finish 15th two months ago now say we will win the European Cup. We will keep our feet on the ground and enjoy it."

With 12 consecutive victories in all competitions, Arsenal are on their best run of form since their 'Invincible' season of 2003/2004 - and fast closing on an overall club record of 14 in a row set some 20 seasons ago.

Wenger said: "The players enjoy the way they play, at a high tempo - and that is a joy to watch.

"Overall there is a happiness in the team to play together.

"There is still more to come from this team. Can we keep our humility and feet on the ground? Can we continue to enjoy what we do? Then I feel we can develop.

"We have seen some great performances, but still everyone is improving."

Slavia coach Karel Jarolim was left to reflect on one of the worst nights of his career.

"We were not able to do anything about the goals against us," he said.

"We let Fabregas in to take the ball without trying - and by the time the third goal went it, that was the beating of us.

"We wanted to finish with some pride in the second half but could not even do that.

"I did not expect we would make it so easy for Arsenal."

Like many others, Jarolim was impressed with Walcott.

"He is a very talented player. We were not able to handle his pace," he concluded.