Wenger confirms Walcott in Arsenal squad to face Southampton

Theo Walcott has finally completed his recovery from an abdominal injury and is in the Arsenal squad to face Southampton on Saturday, manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed.

The 24-year-old has been out of action for two months after picking up the problem in the pre-match warm-up ahead of the Gunners’ 3-1 win over Stoke City back in September and undergoing a minor operation.

And Wenger is delighted to have the England international back available to face the Saints following the forward’s spell on the sidelines.

“He is one of the players who goes behind [the defence] without the ball,” Wenger told Arsenal Player.

“Strikers who get behind the defenders is a very important quality and Theo [Walcott] has that quality.

“Of course you miss a player like Theo Walcott. Theo had a good start to the season, he scored goals, he provided chances and had assists. He can always give you a different option in the game and that is of course vital.

“You always want to have a perfect balance [in attack],” Wenger added. “If you look at our results our balance was not too bad.

“But Theo has different qualities to other players and I am very pleased that he’s back.”