Theo Walcott ruled out of Arsenal's Champions League clash with Montpellier
Gervinho is back in the squad for the Emirates Stadium tie
Related articles
Theo Walcott has been ruled out of Arsenal's Champions League clash with Montpellier tomorrow night due to a shoulder problem.
The England striker sustained the injury during Arsenal's 5-2 derby win over Tottenham at the weekend but was able to play on and scored the Gunners' fifth goal in injury-time at the end of the match.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger revealed Walcott had not trained today and would have a scan to determine the extent of the injury although he thought it would be short-term.
Gervinho is back in the squad for the Emirates Stadium tie.
Wenger hopes Walcott's problem will not prove too severe.
He said at this afternoon's pre-match press conference: "The injury he got during the game with his shoulder, we have to scan that today and see if there is no damage. He will be out for tomorrow. It should be short-term.
"We will miss [Andre] Santos as well, who has a muscle strain in his abdomen. The two players coming in the squad are Gervinho and [Kieran] Gibbs."
Walcott, 23, has yet to agree new deal at Arsenal, and as such could leave at the end of the season on a free transfer.
Wenger has ruled out selling the forward during the January transfer window should the impasse over negotiations not be resolved.
The Gunners boss said: "There's a risk, yes, but that we are ready to take.
"A successful season is more important for us than this risk that is only a financial risk, apart from the losing the player.
"If we sell him, we lose him anyway.
"I believe that we started the season with this squad and we want to finish the season with this squad.
"What is important is what we achieve together for the season - to do that I just think that Theo is a big part in that."
Midfielder Abou Diaby (thigh) and Czech midfielder Tomas Rosicky (hamstring) continue their rehabilitation.
Provisional Squad: Szczesny, Vermaelen, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Sagna, Cazorla, Arteta, Wilshere, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Podolski, Giroud, Mannone, Jenkinson, Arshavin, Coquelin, Ramsey, Chamakh, Djourou.
PA
Latest in Sport
Sport blogs
On The Road at the Giro d’Italia: We could have been on the tour of Siberia over past 72 hours
When cyclists look back on their careers spanning many hundreds (and in some cases possibly thousand...
by Martin Ayres
20 May 2013 06:12 PM
Nike kit deal puts England at No 2 in the world (but which country is top?)
As England’s new football strip – made by Nike – is revealed today, new research shows the English F...
by Alex Miller
20 May 2013 04:52 PM
iBet: A tight game between Northampton and Bradford
A tight game could be in prospect here. Northampton have been keeping things very tight of late and ...
by Gareth Purnell
18 May 2013 02:01 AM
-
Gareth Bale agrees new £130,000-a-week Tottenham contract - but can leave next season for £50m
-
The Last Word: As David Beckham bows out, spare a thought for the ordinary players facing a crueller end
-
Arsene Wenger says Arsenal 'need stability and to strengthen in the summer' after qualifying for Champions League
-
Sam Wallace: The second coming of Jose Mourinho at Chelsea will be a reunion that can only end in tears
-
James Lawton: When will Arsène Wenger's Arsenal enter the Champions League as anything but a disposable asset?
- 1 The ‘Beverly Hills’ of Surrey pays more income tax than big cities of the North
- 2 Gareth Bale agrees new £130,000-a-week Tottenham contract - but can leave next season for £50m
- 3 'Revenge porn' is no longer a niche activity which victimises only celebrities - the law must intervene
- 4 The moral case on tax avoidance is overwhelming - and we all know Google wants to do the right thing
- 5 Sam Wallace: The second coming of Jose Mourinho at Chelsea will be a reunion that can only end in tears
Get your summer started with British Military Fitness
BMF is the UK’s biggest and best loved outdoor fitness classes
Visit York
Find out what The Independent's resident travel expert has to say about one of the most beautiful small cities in the world
Enter the latest Independent competitions
Win anything from gadgets to five-star holidays on our competitions and offers page.
Business videos from commercial thought leaders
Watch the best in the business world give their insights into the world of business.
The price of pacifism
Jason Isaacs: Groupies, theatre bores and James Bond
Sealand: 'Micronation' or illegal fortress?
Legend of James Hunt has set Hollywood hearts racing
Macklemore: 'I don't have moderation'



Comments