Arsenal and England have been dealt a major injury blow with the news that Theo Walcott has suffered a cruciate ligament injury and will be sidelined for at least six months.
The Gunners forward fell awkwardly during the 2-0 FA Cup win over North London rivals Spurs on Saturday, following which he courted controversy by making a gesture outlining the score to the away fans while being stretchered off the pitch.
The club confirmed that Walcott has suffered what is one of the most dreaded injuries in sport on their website a little earlier and while it will come as a huge blow to their title ambitions, it has wider ramifications in that it will, barring something of a Lazarus-like recovery, also rule Walcott out of the World Cup in Brazil in the summer.
A statement on the Arsenal website this evening read: “After coming off injured in Saturday's 2-0 win against Tottenham Hotspur, the Club regrettably announces that Theo Walcott has sustained a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament of his left knee.
"Theo will have surgery in London in the near future and is expected to be out for at least six months, therefore missing the remainder of the season and the World Cup in Brazil in the summer.
"Everyone at Arsenal wishes Theo a speedy recovery and we look forward to seeing him back on a football pitch as soon as possible.”
Walcott had been in excellent form for the Gunners of late and his absence will exacerbate the need to sign a striker this month and relieve the burden on Olivier Giroud and a *cough* rejuvenated *cough* Nicklas Bendtner in the Arsenal attack.
Get well soon Theo.
