Arsenal's Theo Walcott 'distraught' at new injury

Arsene Wenger said Theo Walcott was "completely distraught" and "shocked" as he awaited the outcome on Saturday of a scan on a mystery knee injury suffered after training on Friday.

After returning earlier this month following three months out with a shoulder injury, the England winger faces the prospect of another five weeks out.

And Wenger admitted he was equally perplexed by another potentially serious injury to be suffered by one of his key players. Wenger, also without Emmanuel Adebayor, Tomas Rosicky and Cesc Fabregas at Newcastle on Saturday evening said: "I am distraught and he is completely distraught.

"He was walking off the pitch and he felt his right knee lock up and it started to swell. He is strong mentally. But I found him really shocked and we're a bit surprised and worried because he was in very good form coming back. That's very bad news for us. If it is a cartilage, he will be out three weeks minimum, five to play, that means the beginning of May."

Walcott, who faces the prospect of missing the FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea as well as the Champions League quarter-final against Villarreal, damaged his shoulder on England duty in November and returned only this month as a substitute against Burnley in the Cup.

Following another appearance off the bench, in the penalty shoot-out victory in Rome, he started for the first time in last Saturday's 4-0 win over Blackburn, and kept his place in Tuesday's FA Cup win over Hull.

"He gives us qualities that are different from other players," admitted Wenger. "He's direct, and he has the timing to go behind [players]. He is an interesting quality in the team and when you play from one second to the next you are on the other side of the pitch with him, so it is a loss."

Fabregas is also missing tonight but the captain will continue to support his team-mates from behind the bench despite the controversy surrounding him and allegations that he spat at the feet of Brian Horton, Hull's assistant manager, on Tuesday.

Wenger said: "I will not change anything. Why? You want the team spirit, you want the players to be together, you want the players who do not play to be happy, as well, and to share it with the players who played.

"He's the club captain, he denies categorically the incident, we are open to any inquiry, what can I say more?"

Arsenal are fourth and unbeaten in their last 15 Premier League games and Wenger believes they can maintain their progress: "I'm confident, of course, but we know what has changed in two weeks. We go to Newcastle who are fighting to stay in the Premier League.

"Our only advantage is that we have prepared ourselves mentally to give absolutely everything in every game. The hunger, spirit and desire is there." (telegraph)