Theo Walcott is joined by girlfriend Melanie Slade and his Arsenal team-mates as he celebrates his 21st birthday

By Marcus Barnes

Birthday boy: Theo Walcott celebrated his 21st birthday with girlfriend Melanie Slade at the Paramount members club in London

It's a huge milestone in any young person's life, and for a footballer it's an excuse to flash the cash and have a night out with his team-mates.

Theo Walcott also used his 21st birthday party - held a few days ahead of the real thing - as an opportunity to showcase his style credentials.

The Arsenal winger wore a shiny silver suit, with outrageously top-buttoned white shirt as he escorted sleek-looking long-term girlfriend Melanie Slade to the bash.


Celebration: Girlfriend Melanie looked fab in a black gown, while avid Arsenal fan Matt Lucas also made an appearance at the party

Melanie, 21, wore a stunning black floor-length gown and black heels to the event at the The Paramount members club, which is located on the 31st floor of the Centrepoint building in London's West End and offers stunning panoramic views across the city with floor-to-ceiling windows.

Melanie first came to the nation's attention almost four years ago when Walcott was a surprise selection for the World Cup squad and has been credited with keeping his feet on the ground.

Earlier this year she declined his gift of a Ferrari for her 21st birthday.


Holey moly! Eduardo and his wife Andrea go for the ripped jeans look while Sol Campbell, with girlfriend Fiona Barratt, worked the sartorial approach


Friendship: Tottenham player Gareth Bale was another guest at the party - he became friends with Theo when the two played for Southampton's youth team


He gave her the £140,000 Ferrari California with personalised number plates in January, but she told him she didn't want it and was more than happy with her £20,000 white VW Beetle that he had bought her for her 18th birthday.

Melanie, who is studying physiotherapy at St George's Hospital in London, thought the Ferrari was 'vulgar' and too flashy to be driving round her campus.

The Arsenal star was joined at the party by some of his team-mates, including Sol Campbell, who arrived with girlfriend Fiona Barratt, Andrei Arshavin and his wife Yulia and Eduardo, who was accompanied by his wife Andrea.


Buoyant: Andrei Arshavin and his wife Yulia - the striker would have been in a celebratory mood after scoring for Arsenal against Hull this weekend

And Gareth Bale, who plays for arch rivals Tottenham Hotspur, was also a guest at the party.

The two became friends when they were both players for Southampton's youth squad in their teens.

Little Britain star Matt Lucas also made an appearance at the party - he is an avid Arsenal fan and has met the team and their manager Arsene Wenger on several occasions - helping them to launch their TV station in January 2008.

The Arsenal stars would have been in a buoyant mood as their team defeated Hull on Saturday in a Premiership game.


Special: Theo received this lavish birthday cake in honour of his 21st birthday

The victory takes them up to third place in the league, behind Chelsea and leaders Manchester United.

Theo was presented with a huge cake at the bash, featuring a miniature replica of himself perched atop a castle dressed as a knight with a fire breathing dragon in the castle's moat.

He will be hoping he gets a chance to slay England's opponents in South Africa with his speed this summer - bu needs a successful run-in to the end of the season with the Gunners.

He has come under fire lately for failing to fulfill his potential - pundit Chris Waddle even said he didn't have a football brain - but it may that David Beckham's injury frees a right wing berth in the squad for him.


source: dailymail