Arsenal injury woes continues – Theo Walcott sidelined

(GSM) – Theo Walcott picked up an hamstring injury and will miss Saturday’s visit of Stoke City, added to misery of coach Arsene Wenger.

The England winger returned from a knee problem to play the second half of Sunday’s 3-0 defeat by Chelsea.

Walcott, 20, missed the start of the campaign with a shoulder complaint and has not completed a match this season.

French right-back Bacary Sagna, however, has been confirmed fit. Long-term absentees Robin van Persie and Kieran Gibbs will continue with their rehabilitation following ankle and foot surgery, respectively.

“We had Sagna out injured before but now he is available,” Wenger told Arsenal’s official website.

Regarding English left-back Gibbs, Wenger said: “Kieran is doing very well.

“I had him on the phone and it looked to be completely fine. I have not talked to Robin yet but there again the news I got from the surgery was it went very, very well. There was a lot of disturbance on our side recently about his injury but the surgery went well.”

“However, Theo Walcott will not be available. As for the other players we had injured, the long-term ones I do not even speak about.

“But the players who looked to be shorter – like Clichy, Diaby and Bendtner – will not be available. And, of course, Alex Song is suspended for the weekend.”

The Cameroon midfielder, who played centre back during the City defeat, picked up his fifth yellow card of the season on Wednesday night.

Arsenal next host Stoke City on 5th december as they look forward to overcome their 3-0 Premier League defeat to Chelsea preceeded by a 1-0 defeat to Sunderland and go back on the winning ways.