Theo Walcott’s knee injury will prevent him from seeing in the start of the Premier League season with Arsenal, but Arsène Wenger says he will return to full training by the end of August.
Walcott ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in January, during the Gunners’ FA Cup victory over Tottenham. The injury prevented him from playing for the remainder of the season, as well as kept him from taking a trip to Brazil with the England national team.
When asked how long it will take for Walcott to get back in the team, Wenger said, “That’s difficult to predict. Once he’s back in full training it can be very quick. He has a good basis, which is what he’s working on now.”
Prior to his injury, the winger had made fifteen appearances for Arsenal, scoring six goals, including one against Marseille in the Champions League. Walcott has been with the London club since 2006, but has seen many of his seasons hampered by persistent injuries.
Surely Arsenal fans will be hoping that the club takes their time on this one, not rushing the 25-year-old back before he has entirely recovered. Fortunately, they have a new quality signing that can help fill in the blanks until Walcott is ready to play once more. Alexis Sánchez is entirely comfortable with playing out wide, and will most likely take up a position on the flank until Walcott is fit and available.