Just Arsenal News

The Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says that Theo Walcott is worried about missing out on a World Cup place due to his terrible luck with injuries this season has caused him to miss out on the last two matches in England’s World Cup Qualifying campaign.

England also have a friendly in four weeks time against Brazil, and will only play twice more before going to South Africa.

Yesterday Wenger stated that Walcott would not be available for the next three to four weeks, but has now said he should be okay to face Brazil i time.

“I believe Theo is worried about the World Cup, certainly, but I don’t think there’s any reason to worry now,” Wenger said. “He will be in the squad. It’s October and he has an injury of two-three weeks. I say four to be covered.

“Theo is the type of player who controls the ball on the first touch, that is the biggest problem for strikers. When they are injured, will they continue to play like they did?

“Theo has had two shoulder surgeries that were from a genetic weakness [from his father] but, for the rest, I don’t believe he is injury-prone.”

Fabio Capello has always made it clear that he will only pick players that are appearing regularly for their clubs, and as Walcott has only played two half-games for Arsenal this season, he is in desperate need of playing time to convince Capello of his fitness.