Arsenal paid £2m for Jermaine Pennant in 1999

The former England under-21 player was arrested after the crash in Aylesbury, Bucks early on Sunday.

After failing a breath test at the scene the 22-year-old was taken to the town's police station and charged.

Police said Pennant, from Barnet, north London, was bailed to appear before magistrates in Aylesbury on 1 February.

Youngest player

A Thames Valley Police spokesman said: "Police were called to Park Street in Aylesbury at 6.20am following reports that a car had collided with a lamppost.

"Officers attended the scene and arrested the driver of a Mercedes.

"He was taken to Aylesbury Police Station where he was later charged with drink driving."

It is understood the crashed Mercedes belongs to Pennant's Arsenal team mate Ashley Cole.

On 30 November 1999, Pennant made his Arsenal debut against Middlesbrough in a Worthington Cup tie.

Arsenal bought Pennant for £2m from Notts County in 1999, one of the highest amounts paid for a teenager at the time.