Theo Walcott spent his pre-season on the periphery, absent in the matches he was playing in, and surely lacking intent at Arsenal, following the arrival of Alex Lacazette. With no transfer options available, the English forward had to pull up his socks and on the back of brilliant performances, first against Benfica and then against Chelsea in the Community Shield final, Walcott has managed to win the fans back.

After a thrilling win over the Blues through penalty shootout, Walcott was surely over the moon enjoying his team's success ahead of what promises to be a gruelling Premier League season. But, the Arsenal man stirred up a storm on social media after sharing a photograph of his latest tattoo that read: 'Om Namah Shivaya'.

Open your heart, shed fear, hate or envy, to experience everlasting joy & happiness #NewTattoo pic.twitter.com/R0Qksj4vk5

— Theo Walcott (@theowalcott) August 9, 2017

Taking to Twitter, the England international unveiled his new tattoo which literally translates to 'salutations to Shiva'. Apart from his photo, Walcott also wrote a short message, "Open your heart, shed fear, hate or envy, to experience everlasting joy & happiness."

Lord Shiva is a highly-ranked god in the Hindu echelon and the chant 'Om Namah Shivaya' is sung by the devotees as part of their religious practices. The chant, a powerful healing mantra which benefits in all physical and mental ailments, is believed to bring peace to the heart and joy to the soul.

Watching a popular football star getting 'Om Namah Shivaya' inked on his back, social media users just couldn't help contain their excitement.

Your tattoo guy kinda messed up, y'know.
This is what it should have been. pic.twitter.com/V6OwGFLHD2

— Tanuj Baru (@barucracy) August 9, 2017

Intention is good, bad execution.

— Ranjith (@ranjithrajan) August 9, 2017

Yep. Whoever did the tattoo doesn't know Devnagri properly.

— kurt bento (@kurtbento) August 9, 2017

Sorry to break it to you man, but that actually reads 'Two pints of lager and a packet of crisps'.

— David Brain (@davidgbrain) August 9, 2017

Mandir theo hi banwayega ððð

— Anujshringiðã½ï¸ (@Anujshringi) August 9, 2017