Arsene Wenger has claimed that the stomach surgery underwent by England winger Theo Walcott has been successful and the flying winger will be back in the Gunners’ red next month.
Walcott travelled to Germany for the surgery on his abdomen this week after he was withdrawn from the matchday eleven just minutes before kick off on Sunday.
He initially appeared on Wenger’s teamsheet, playing wide on the right wing before the 24-year-old complained of stomach pain and was not risked by the boss. Serge Gnabry took his place out wide and put in an excellent performance in his first game of the season as Stoke were defeated 3-1.
Form guy
Walcott had been an integral part of the superstar midfield that Arsene Wenger had been building. Despite his failure to score in the Premier League this season, Walcott had managed a goal and 2 assists in the Champions League and ran riot against Sunderland a few weeks back.
His blistering pace led to countless chances against Fulham, too, and his performance in the North London Derby highlighted his defensive as well as attacking prowess.
Wenger told Sky Sports:
"Walcott had surgery and it went very well.
"He's coming back (from Germany) Thursday so it's what we expected, there were no complications."
Absence
The game against Norwich at the Emirates on the 19th October has been pinpointed as the date that Walcott is expected to return, meaning he will miss the trip to Swansea this weekend, the Champions’ League group game against Italians Napoli and the game at the Hawthorns against West Brom.
Perhaps more significantly, Walcott will be unavailable for England's closing World Cup Group H qualifiers against Poland and Montenegro – critical games which will decide whether Roy Hodgson’s Lions will fly to Brazil for the 2014 World Cup. After this month’s win over Moldova and draw with Ukraine, the high pressure scenario will highlight Walcott’s importance to the side.
Walcott will be missed by England and Arsenal, however with the Gunners riding high at the summit of the Premier League, the midfield depth currently available at the Emirates should prevail.
Latest:
