Ray Parlour: Injury to Theo Walcott leaves Arsenal with big problems

Former Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour has said that Theo Walcott’s season-ending injury is a ‘massive blow’ for Arsenal and England.

Walcott was carried off on a stretcher during the 2-0 FA Cup third round win over Tottenham at the weekend and appeared to be in no discomfort or pain.

However, the results came back with knee ligament damage, meaning Walcott misses at least the next six months of action. He’ll miss the remainder of the Premier League season as Arsenal aim to stay top of the table.

Walcott will also miss the World Cup in Brazil as a result of the injury.

Talking to Sky Sports, Parlour said: ”When he was stretchered off at the weekend he looked to be in pretty good spirits and no-one expected an injury like he’s now got.

“The scan results are terrible news – he’ll be absolutely distraught this morning because he was just coming back into form and everything was going really well and he could have looked forward to the World Cup in Brazil.

“Theo was always an outlet for Arsenal – when you’re up against it as a team you can stick it behind the full-back and he’s onto it like a shot with his pace.

“His finishing is also so much better than it was a couple of years ago – his all-round game has got better and he’s at a good age – 24 – and he’s getting more experienced.

“You look at the areas where Arsenal might struggle – it’s up front with (Olivier) Giroud and (Nicklas) Bendtner also out at the moment, (Lukas) Podolski is their only fit striker – it’s a big, big problem for Arsenal now.”

With Walcott out injured, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain returns just in time after a lengthy spell on the sidelines for him, too.

“Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is an obvious replacement – he also plays well centrally in a midfield three, he’s a real talent – but Theo was just starting to click into form.”

Plenty of support came out for Walcott last night, including some of his Arsenal teammates.