Wenger Confirms Theo Walcott Comeback Date

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Theo Walcott will return to full training at the end of August as he edges closer to a comeback following a knee injury.

Walcott has been on the sidelines for over eight months after rupturing his cruciate ligament during the final stages of Arsenal’s FA Cup win over rivals Tottenham Hotspur back in early January.

He was initially ruled out for up to nine months but his rehabilitation has gone well and the 25-year-old posted pictures of himself back in the gym in June as he stepped up his comeback.

Walcott then returned to the training pitch do some light running in July and has been slowly building his fitness back up ever since as he continues to follow a strict individual rehabilitation program.

Arsene revealed last month that he hoped to see the attacker back towards the end of August and speaking at his pre-match press conference this afternoon ahead of Sunday’s Community Shield clash with Manchester City, the boss has confirmed that Walcott will return to full training with the rest of the first team squad on the 31st of this month.

Wenger on @theowalcott: "He will come back into the group on August 31 – he is doing well but he's not ready yet" pic.twitter.com/p0ppQZu343

— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) August 7, 2014

This is excellent news and it means that as long as Walcott shows no signs of distress and doesn’t suffer any set back once he’s in full training again, the winger should be available for first team duty in early-to-mid September.

He’s going to need a couple of weeks to get his sharpness and match fitness back, but it looks like he’s on the right track and it will be a huge boost to have him available again.

We sorely missed Theo during the second half of last season and I can’t wait to see him play alongside the likes of Alexis Sanchez, while his pace and movement should also bring the best out of Mesut Ozil.