Arsene Wenger: Theo Walcott handling injury blow well

Arsene Wenger has revealed that Theo Walcott is handling his injury setback in positive fashion after the Arsenal forward was ruled out for the rest of the season.

The 24-year-old is set to undergo surgery on a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee after being carried off on a stretcher in Saturday’s 2-0 FA Cup triumph over Tottenham.

We know that he will have the dedication and the serious attitude to come back as strong as ever

Theo Walcott

Walcott had just been beginning to find his best form for the Gunners before the setback after scoring five goals in his last six appearances for the north Londoners.

But the Arsenal manager has praised the forward for his attitude since being delivered the disappointing news.

“Theo is handling it as well as you can when you have had such a shock because he’s mentally strong, he’s very balanced as a person and he can put it into perspective,” Wenger told Arsenal Player.

“We know that he will have the dedication and the serious attitude to come back as strong as ever.

“We lost a very talented player, a very intelligent player and a player who was just grabbing his form again. From game to game he became more influential, you’ve seen a complete player.

“He can always decide a game through a final ball or through a goal. Sometimes in the same game he does both. I felt against Tottenham he had a very convincing performance because he integrates well our style of play as he’s been here for so many years now.

“When we combine at a high pace he’s involved in it because he understands exactly what we want to do.”