Arsenal defender Sead Kolasinac will make a big impact on the Premier League says team mate Theo Walcott: 'Honestly, he's an absolute animal'

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At a time when full-backs are changing hands for fees of more than £50million, Sead Kolasinac has arrived at Arsenal on a free transfer and made a shuddering impact.

Sturdy left-back Kolasinac came off the bench to operate out of position and score a late equaliser in the FA Community Shield against Chelsea.

He threw up on the pitch during a pre-season friendly against Bayern Munich and the wingers in Arsene Wenger's squad are giving him a wide berth in training.

Sead Kolasinac has arrived at Arsenal on a free transfer and made a shuddering impact

Kolasinac came off the bench and scored an equaliser in the Community Shield versus Chelsea

Theo Walcott has been impressed by Kolasinac, calling the left back an 'absolute animal'

'Honestly, he's an absolute animal,' said Theo Walcott. 'He's incredible. I see him in the gym every day and you can tell he looks after himself well, he eats the right food and he's professional.

'It's beautiful to watch and he's a great addition to the squad. I'm sure his physical attributes are going to be key for us this season.

'You can see the power when he's got the ball, and his pace. He's a tank. Trust me, he's one tough unit to get past. He's quite wide, as well.'

Kolasinac, a free transfer from Schalke this summer, represents an impressive physical unit

Chelsea and Juventus tried to sign him in January but it was Arsenal who secured a deal

Kolasinac was born to Bosnian parents in Karlsruhe, where his father worked at a Mercedes factory. He represented Germany in youth football up to the age of Under-20s before switching to Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2013.

A year later, during a group game against Argentina in the Maracana, he scored the fastest own-goal in World Cup history, beating the Bosnia keeper Asmir Begovic after 128 seconds.

He hopped clubs as a teenager from Karlsruhe to Hoffenheim to Stuttgart and joined Schalke at the age of 18, where he settled and became an established first-teamer.

Chelsea and Juventus tried to sign him in January but it was Wenger who secured a deal for the 24-year-old when his contract expired in June.

'He's perfect for the Premier League,' said Walcott. 'He could be one of the best in this league, and he's going to get fitter, stronger and quicker.'

Bosnia-Herzegovina international Kolasinac (5) scored the fastest World Cup own goal in 2014

Juventus quoted a price of £61m when Chelsea approached for left-back Alex Sandro, this summer, as Manchester City spent more than £130m on three full-backs: Kyle Walker, Danilo and Benjamin Mendy. 'When you compare it to that, it says it all really,' said Walcott.

Arsenal will launch the Premier League season at home to Leicester on Friday and Walcott urged supporters to generate a positive atmosphere at the Emirates Stadium as they embark on another two years under Wenger.

'We tend to start the league not so well and a night game might be better for us,' said the England winger. 'It's a bit different, it's new for us and the fans will be up for it.

'The home support will be so key this season, for the fans to be right behind the team from kick-off. You've got to be patient sometimes with this formation we're playing. We're slowly learning and getting better.'