THEO WALCOTT feels “completely distraught” after suffering a locked right knee walking back from training yesterday which could sideline him for five weeks.
Arsenal and England winger Walcott returned to the first team a fortnight ago after almost four months out with a dislocated shoulder and now looks set to be ruled out of some crucial matches for club and country.
He was due to undergo a scan last night and if the injury is revealed to be a cartilage, then Gunners boss Arsene Wenger said his absence would be “three weeks minimum”. Wenger suggested the beginning of May was a more likely date for Walcott to play again.
That would mean Walcott would miss England’s World Cup qualifier against Ukraine on April 1, the Champions League quarter-finals against Villarreal, a potential Champions League semi-final first leg and the Wembley FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea on April 18.
That’s very bad news for us, and for England
Arsene Wenger
Wenger said: “I am, and he is, completely distraught. That’s very bad news for us, and for England.
“He is strong mentally you know. But today I found him really shocked. We are a bit surprised and worried because he was in very good form.
“He was walking off the pitch, walking back from training and he felt his right knee lock up and it started to swell. I hope that it is not serious but he has to be scanned.
“He gives us qualities that are different from other players. He’s direct and he has the timing to go behind. So he will be a big loss.”
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