Walcott out for ´three to four´ weeks, says Wenger

Arsenal winger Theo Walcott will be out for “three to four weeks” according to manager Arsene Wenger following a knee injury sustained in last weekend’s Premier League win over Birmingham City.

The England international will now miss Tuesday’s trip to the Netherlands for the Champions League clash against AZ Alkmaar after a heavy challenge by City’s Liam Ridgewell in what was Walcott’s first start of the season.

Wenger, speaking to reporters here on Monday, said: “The news is not good. We are without Theo Walcott for longer than expected.

“We thought it would be just 48 hours but it is a medial knee ligament, which is what I feared after the game,” the Frenchman added. “He will be out for three to four weeks.”

Tomas Rosicky has also been ruled out of Tuesday’s game with a knee problem although Wenger expects him to be fit in “a few days”. But Gael Clichy has been passed fit after an ankle injury.

Nicklas Bendtner, Denilson, Eduardo and Johan Djourou are still out.

Arsenal, who have never lifted the Champions League or its predecessor, the European Cup, have won both of their two European games so far this season to top Group H while Alkmaar have drawn one and lost one.