Bad news this evening after Arsenal confirmed Theo Walcott is to miss 6 months after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament of his left knee.
It rules the England winger out for the rest of the domestic season and puts paid to any hopes he had of going to the World Cup in Brazil.
Theo is due to have surgery to repair the problem, but it will be next season before he plays again. It’s a real shame for him as he was in good form and scoring regularly, and showed against Sp*rs that he was also a viable option up front against certain opposition.
It opens the door somewhat to Serge Gnabry to stake a claim on the right hand side of the Arsenal attack, and the news will increase pressure on Arsene Wenger to get active in the January transfer window.
In the meantime, all we can do is wish him a speedy and successful recovery.
Gutted, he was looking good so far this season as well
World Cup year as well, would have been so great for England.
Real shame though, he looked so happy on the stretcher, thought he would be out for just a couple of days. 🙁
It doesn’t always hurt, at least not in the same way as a broken leg. It just feels wrong. At least it did for me.
Agreed. Did mine way back when I was 18. Hurt far less than most sprained ankles.
It will be longer than 6 months, more like 10.
Yes, 6 months is only the case if the stars align perfectly. 9 – 12 months is much more realistic for returning to playing in matches.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20610771
I think the real issue/question is will he be the same type of player when comes back. Not everybody is the same after an ACL injury.
Fuck y’all are getting me real worried here. i just hope he doesn’t lose his pace when he comes back. Why did this happen bergkamp? i thought u was a gooner?
As if England were going anywhere.
Fucking massive blow though. Spurs have the have some of the vilest fans around. Even when Bale was smashing them in and they looked likely to trump us I wouldn’t go around cheering on an injury. (at least not publicly)
Bunch of cunts.
Unfortunately this is undoubtedly a huge blow for our title hopes this season! – But I want to see it from the positive side – this will hopefully mean that the boys will stick even closer together and show everybody what Arsenal is all about – cause we’ve experienced worse things over the past years. Let’s believe in ourselves – COME ON YOU GUNNERS!!! <3
let’s hope this is something like pires in 2002. the squad can pull together and go on to do something amazing!
If my world cup dream gets crashed like this would cry like a baby. can’t imagine how Theo is feeling now. gutted for him!
Not only that, at 16 he went and never played and at 20 he didn’t get picked. So he’s missed out on 3 world cups!
He’s young enough that he’ll get another chance, maybe two. Which is pretty crazy.
This sucks for him. And it sucks real bad for Arsenal.
Unbelievably Unbelievable.. With your goal contribution to this wonderful team, we will surely miss a true Arsenal Legend who truly became a true legend on the day Sp*rs was rendered useless at the Great Emirates. See you soon Theo!!!!
Horror. that was my reaction when I read this. He was becoming so important to us.
Anyway atleast it unblocks Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain’s path back into the first team.
Hope AOC doesn’t take long to find rhythm but it’s expecting a lot for him to come back and play to his best straight away.
AOC will still have to fight.
We have Rosicky, Wilshere, Ozil, Cazorla, Gnabry & AOC fighting for 3 spots & Alex is last in the pecking order.
i swear some prick in Nigeria has a voodoo doll that he keeps poking around the shoulder, knees etc theres no other sane way to explain the amount of injuries Arsenal football club is having. SHIT!
I think most of them support Arsenal already.
I’m a Nigerian and i would give my left ball just to see arsenal win the title for Theo. Get well soon
Here’s hoping we get a title and you get to keep your balls too!!!!
Now thats a supporter!
we still seem to be running the enforced one in; one out policy 🙁
OX and Gnabry to get more game time than expected I suppose.
Generally though.
Bugger.
The bittersweet of it is that Gnabry now has a real shot at getting onto the German bench as a wild card for the WC this year. It’s small but it’s there… and he looks like the kind of guy who just needs a whisper of a chance.
If he somehow steps up and defies his age and delivers you have to wonder about Walcott.
His injury just reminds me of the Arsenal of old. And I was so fucking excited to see him link up with Ozil!!!!!!!!
Gutted
This guy is drunk, why must it be a Nigerian?
We are so gutted and bloody devastated to hear the shocking news, damn u Heroldgoon or whatever u call urself.
i think you know.
Let’s not have a back forth over this, a gooner is k.o’d, time to pull together and hope he recovers and about that drink i think i’ll go have a shit load of that.
why nigeria? voodoo is a Haiti thing. but i am not going to go into that…stereotyping is just wrong and insensitive especially when u get it wrong
I’d like to think it’s wrong and insensitive regardless of whether its “wrong” or “right” which aren’t even terms that make sense if you think stereotyping is bad.
Am i under arrest now?
Who gives a fuck, it was just meant as a remark that dark forces were against us.
yes @masterofthegoonaverse i meant no
offense whatsoever. looks like trying to rid
myself off any offense makes me sound
even more offensive!…
Lets unite in being gutted for Theo shall we?
No mate. But you really should engage your brain before typing that kind of thing.
Faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaakkkk!!!
Bad news, but at least he went out in style, give those filthy scummers a metaphorical “Up Yours, wankers!”. Just like Spartacus.
I know, what a way to go out. These types of injuries kill players with pace don’t they…I hope this is not the case with theo.
Shock. Disbelief.
Was discussing with some friends who support Liverpool and Chelsea earlier in the day and they were waxing lyrical about that “Lengendary” gesture by Walcott towards the scummers when he was being stretchered off. How proud I felt to be a gooner this afternoon just to get back home and find this news?
I was just about to eat but just lost my appetite and Missus will never believe me when I tell her why I lost my appetite.
why do such things only happen to us? 🙁
It sucks, really does. Fuck
Gutted for him.
Let’s hope his knee is strong enough to lift the trophy at the end of the season!
Yep, just like Bobby P back in the day. Serge: your time has come.
How many appearances does he have to make to receive a winners’ medal, 10?
Used to be now its five. I think.
He’s made 11 anyway so.
I believe it used to be a minimum of 12 (remember Keown coming on as a late sub almost every game towards the end of the Invincible season to claim a medal).
But I believe the rules have changed now and teams are given something like 30 medals that is to be divided among the playing squad and the coaches. How it is divided is up to the club.
Whoops…I googled it. Keown made 10 appearances in his final season to secure a medal.
8
Am gutted for you Theo. Make a quick recovery hopefully in time for the World Cup. Now let’s win the league, FA Cup and Champs League (I know, I know) for Theo!
Absolutely no chance of world cup. We will be lucky to see him back for the start of next season, more like October/November time
Get well soon, Theo!
Fucking hell…
Well fuck that not the news we wanted he must be devastated
I do feel for him. Although I’m not concerned how it affects England’s WC chances, I know that Walcott will be disappointed with his inability to contribute to both club and country this year. He missed the 2010 WC because of Capello’s stupidity, and he’ll miss this one because of an injury. Terrible luck.
Gnabry
I like Gnabry, too, but as Wenger reminded us, he’s still young, and it’s exceptionally rare to get consistency from players who are 18. At this stage of his career he needs to be managed carefully. The odd first-team appearance will certainly help, but asking him to fill the boots of a much more experienced forward is probably unwise.
But yes, when I heard this news, my mind went first to Gnabry and the soon-to-be fully recovered Ox. On further reflection, though, I think this should force Wenger’s hand in the market. Will it, though?
Agreed, back when Christiano Ronaldo was 17 or 18 Ferguson would only play him for the last 15-20 minutes as a sub.
Gnabry has a better build than Ronaldo did back then so no doubt he can physically play all 90 minutes. Maybe one start per fortnight for Gnabry? Ox, Jack and Ramsey can both play on the right too.
Gnabry at the moment struggles to finish 90 atleast not at this high level. don’t know if you noticed but on saturday he was tiring towards the end, Wenger noticed and switched him to the middle and moved Theo to the wing.
Well that sucks… Get well soon Theo!
Sooo gutted for him! A massive loss for us. Get well soon Theo!
Sad news! He went out(of this season) in style though! #legend
Hate to be too downbeat, but our chances of winning anything this year just became infinitely smaller. Was looking like one of our best players since he came back, better even than he was last season at his peak.
Get well soon, Theo.
Really? We’re loaded at midfield right now. And most everyone will be healthy within a couple of weeks. Terrible news for Theo and it does take away from some of the depth and flexibility but for the first time in 5-6 years this kind of injury ISN’T fatal to our chances.
This is now an opportunity for someone else to show their worth. I think that and I’m a fucking cynic.
Yes with midfielders, not a natural winger with lots of pace and going behind defenders all the time he is the type of player we don’t have in the squad face it .
Yes, we lose some pace. No, we’re not doomed. We finally have a good squad. I’m gutted for Theo but still optimistic about Arsenal’s chances in both the FA Cup and the League (the CL is house money to me at this point).
Walcott is a massive loss, but we have 3 proper wingers in Podolski, Oxlade-Chamberlain and now Gnabry. It’s been apparent that for balance reasons we can’t play Walcott and Podolski together on the wings, so this injury means Poldi has to stand up and be counted and get the goals and assists that Theo would otherwise be getting. Absolutely gutted for him.
He’s like a Ljungberg. A 15 goal a season man from wide who can be the difference between winning a title and not winning a title. Absolutely gutted. I hope that we have enough quality to cape with his loss, but my confidence just took a major battering.
Not to mention that we’ll now be lucky to get out of the group stage at the World Cup (not that that is nearly as important)…
No one else is like Theo though. And, if we are going to win the title, it will be by a very fine margin (because, lets be honest, our squad doesn’t compare in depth to City’s and our first XI is just a little way off, and Chelsea… are Chelsea). Losing one of your best players for the rest of the season is a pretty sure way to tip that fine balance over the edge. Just one or two tight games that finish as draws, where we’d have been crying out for Theo’s directness and quality in the final 3rd… Read more »
We’ll have Ox back in this half of the season and Gnabry will surely step up.
Hopefully we’re active in the market, too.
A stronger squad doesn’t mean everything. Man U’s title team from last year shows the power of team spirit and belief. This year, we have that in spades. A massive blow deserves a massive response. Do it for Theo!
Well said Yank. We were 5 points clear at the top with no Walcott this season, we can definitely do this. It’s a massive pity though because Theo looked fired up upon his retun this season. What he has done is carry the team over the Christmas period injecting the team with impetus just as Ozil, Giroud and Ramsey were seriously flagging from fatigue. But all 3 of those have been given a little rest now and should be raring to go for the 2nd half. Wenger knows best but I hope he might have something up his sleeve just… Read more »
The trouble is that we probably needed a proper center-forward this January, and Walcott isn’t one. So, if this does force Wenger’s hand, will it mean we get someone ‘like’ Walcott (a pacy forward to thrives just on the outside), or that we absorb Walcott’s loss with the likes of Gnabry / Ox and carry on with the purchase of a CF?
I don’t mind Bunburyist so long as it’s somebody who can hit the net regularly for us.
Well I am a fucking pessimist and I am NOT happy! Bollocks Bollocks Bollocks
Yeah, this is a real blow. there was no way Ramsey could continue to do all the goal scoring and Walcott seemed to step back in at the right moment. I’m afraid we could hit a barren patch, we need width, we need Gnabry and the Ox to fill the gap, or a super quality signing, fingers crossed, and truth be told I rather see Gnab or Ox take their chance than a new winger coming in.
Fuck I hope Theo recovers well and returns to his best, real downer right when he seemed to be fulfilling his promise.
Yep.
That said, if we sign Costa, or someone similarly talented, then I might calm down with the newfound cynicism.
I have a feeling it’s Poldi’s time to take up the torch now and have a good run of form.
Sadly, I agree. I know we have a lot of midfielders, but Theo offers us something else entirely – that speed is extremely useful, especially in difficult away games.
I agree to an extent, though most teams will park the bus against us (even good ones…like Chelsea), which tends to limit Walcott somewhat. He was perfect against Tottenham because they just like to swashbuckle away, tactics be damned. That said, he knows how to find the net, no matter what kind of opposition gameplan. Wasn’t he our top goalscorer last season? We’ll miss that, and we’ll need all the firepower we can get to finish this season with a trophy.
I agree that Walcott seems limited against teams that don’t give him space in behind, although he has certainly improved over the last year or so. It’s often seemed like a case of “either Walcott or Podolski” for Wenger, so surely it’s Podolski’s chance to really stamp his authority on our ‘orthodox winger’ position. I reckon if we can get him firing he’s got the goals and assists in him. Beyond that, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Gnabry provide pretty good cover, although without the goal threat of young Theodore. I’m still not certain that we’re absolutely desperate for a new signing this… Read more »
He was indeed, partly because he is the master of fumbling the ball into the net, but also because he’s actually a very efficient player these days.
get well soon theo! step up time for gnabry and ox
Mr Rogers, is that you?
F u c k.
2-0
This is one of those injuries that is hard to shake off, even when you recover from it. Most players who’ve had it suffer relapses.
A huge shame. Hope he recovers well.
Damn. And it seemed so innocuous too.
I wouldn’t say they suffer “relapses”. Many of them are just never the same after the injury.
FFS!!
Utter Shock.
Going to find that bitch called Karma and fuckign kill her.
Didn’t think it would be so serious… He looked to be quite happy on the stretcher!
Somebody hold me.
Shite):
Do it for Theo!
Stunned and gutted for Feo. Seems to, as near as possible, assure some transfer window activity?
Speedy recovery.
Really gutted hope he recovers a lot sooner
This is f*cking horrible. I think it’s a real blow to our title chances. Theo gave us something different.
Absolutely devastated for him. When we’re doing so well and the World Cup is just on the horizon. He must be gutted.
Best wishes to him for a speedy recovery, he’ll be given an absolute hero’s welcome for his first match back. Already can’t wait for it.
2-0 to the arsenal…oh balls
This is the most annoying news I’ve ever read!
get out the pocketbook, cheque book, war chest, lock box, secret safe, safety deposit box, grandmas jewels, everything
It’s shocking, a fucking disaster for him and the Arsenal. I wish him all the best and we will miss him a lot.
Fuucccccccckckkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk
God of Football clearly ain’t a Gooner. The Dick.
On the upside, he definitely isn’t a Spud either!! Just look at them..
Absolutely gutted for Theo though. Was looking forward to see him stake his claim on the world stage this summer.
Here’s hoping for a quick recovery!
blasphemy!!!! gunnalex , bergkamp will send you to hell
Really feel for the guy. If the spuds had knocked the ball out of play when he first went down, he might have been ok. Massive bellends. H
Spot on. There’s every chance that the inital damage happened that first time and if Theo had been diagnosed by our medical staff they’d have insisted he should come off. As it was the game continued, Theo got to his feet and got on with it and then did the real damage when he slid in for that tackle. Maybe.
Still though, 2 – 0.
You are so right and more should be made of this. By ref playing on and no-one kicking ball out, he was sat there for a good minute and was embarrassed into climbing to his feet (to boos from spuds assuming he’s faking it). Medical staff may have said ‘no, you’re coming off’ and this could have been prevented.
He was clattered in the back for the first one. Caught his own leg in the turf for the second. Completely unreleated incidents.
Might as well blame Wenger for not substituting him earlier for Podolski.
Right you are. Still should have put it out though.
Terrible news! Massively disappointing news!
Devastating news. He was in great scoring form aswell. Here’s hoping for an injury free season next season for Theo. Grab your chance with both hands Serge.
i said that tackle was reckless and needless. now look.
hopefully chambo and gnab can step up.
Also imperative we strengthen now!
You’re right. No player should ever tackle in case they get injured.
What was reckless was Bendtner scoring that goal against Cardiff and putting himself out for a month. Hope he’s taken a long look in the mirror at himself after that.
It being Bendtner, I’m sure he has though.
Oh bloggy you very well know i dont mean that.
i think in that split second he made the tackle, he was possesed by some sort on legendary long running spite we have for the sp*rs. “no you won’t rose!”
Anyway whatever plans wenger had in the summer he has to move it up to January. We’re significantly weakened now.
Ok, I’m trying to understand you by your use of the word ‘significant’ in that statement. It’s only one player out with an acl isn’t it? I’m not very smart, perhaps you have a formula. Can you share it?
Jesus!
Ox on the way back and gnabry showing great promise so luckily we now have strength in depth.
Think we def need to sign a striker now.
Berbatov seems the best of a very small pool
Feel really sorry for Theo, not just missing the rest of our season, which up till now has been our best in many years. But also missing the World cup once again. He was looking really sharp the last games, so sad.
Even worse, for a player whose game is built on speed, an ACL tear can be devastating. Let’s hope it heals right and he comes back strong.
Fuck…
Poor lad.
Can’t even think of what it does to the team right now….so sorry for him….
Quite upset about this, especially as he is the player I look up to. Hope he has a speedy recovery.
Absolutely gutted for him, he was playing really well. Without wishing to sound over-reactionary, can’t we splash out on the likes of Mandzukic? Win it for Theo, get well soon fella!
Come on Arsene…..turn a negative into a major positive, buy a diamond and make us the champions we deserve to be….
Get well soon Theo!
Now surely Wenger will have to splash some cash in the transfer window and bring in some temporary (hopefully permanent) fire power.
WHYYYYYY!!!! FUCK!!! December Player of the Month for me, he was on form. FUUUCCCKKKK!!! Wenger will have to spend now can’t gamble on just Ox and Gnabry for rest of the season 3 competitions.
The bloke is hard as nails to have that happen, smile through the pain and take the piss out of Spurs fans simultaneously. I couldn’t love him more.
Poor lad. Missed the last World Cup because of the Cunt Capello and this one because of injury.
Eduardo in 2008 and Walcott in 2012.
The injury Gods don’t want us to win the title.
At least the transfer window is open this time.
Come on Arsene and get well soon Theo!!
Gutted! Gutted!! Gutted!!!
Unfortunately this is undoubtedly a huge blow for our title hopes this season! – But I want to see it from the positive side – this will hopefully mean that the boys will stick even closer together and show everybody what Arsenal is all about – cause we’ve experienced worse things over the past years. Let’s believe in ourselves – COME ON YOU GUNNERS!!! <3
Devastating news for him and us.
Gnabry an option but unlikely to be a goal machine.
The Ox coming back is at least something.
Feels like Wenger has zero option but to buy, rather than see if something comes up.
Sad for for everyone and England, but mostly him. Gnabry knows what to expect now and Wenger ABSOLUTELY knows what is expected of him this coming transfer window.