MX23RW : Sunday, December 15 06:06:29| >> :120:21979:21979:

Arsene Wenger: 'Theo Walcott close to making return'

Theo Walcott will return to full training at the end of this month following an eight-month injury layoff, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger confirms.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed that Theo Walcott will return to full training at the end of August following a lengthy layoff through injury.

The England international has missed the last eight months after rupturing his cruciate knee ligament in the Gunners' FA Cup victory against arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

Walcott returned to the training pitch in July where he underwent some light fitness work, and he will now step up preparations ahead of a return to first-team action.

"Theo Walcott is planned to come back into my group on August 31, beginning of September at the latest," Wenger told reporters. "He is doing well but he is not completely ready. I would say he could play at the end of August."

Arsenal take on Manchester City this weekend in the Community Shield at Wembley.

ID:169936: cacheID:169936:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:1265:
Written by
Daniel Lewis
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Arsenal's English midfielder Theo Walcott celebrates after scoring an equalising goal during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, northwest England, on December 14, 2013
Read Next:
Walcott to return to training in August
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool15113131131836
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest168442119228
5Manchester CityMan City158342721627
6Aston Villa167452425-125
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Fulham166642422224
10Brentford157263128323
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton153661421-715
16Leicester CityLeicester163582134-1314
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich162681628-1212
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1623112440-169
20Southampton1512121131-205


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!