Theo Walcott played 45 minutes for Arsenals Under-21 side against Blackburn as he stepped up his recovery from the knee injury which kept him out of the World Cup. The 25-year-old has been sidelined for nine months after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during the closing stages of the Gunners FA Cup third-round victory over Tottenham Hotspur. It has been a hard, long nine months, Walcott told Sky Sports News after featuring for the first half of Friday nights goalless draw at Meadow Park. I always need to go out there and play to the best of my ability. I dont think about picking up little knocks - I think about the game. Thats what I did tonight, and I got through fine. Walcott ruled out playing for Arsenal this weekend against Hull and was adamant he would not rush a return to first-team action. It was a massive blow when it happened, but I am focused on the present now and I will take it day by day, he said. I need to be patient with myself. It is important to recover. I need to be patient. The manager will choose to play me when he wants - it (the injury) needs to be managed as well. Abou Diaby also played 67 minutes and Serge Gnabry an hour for the Gunners. #WelcomeBackTheo #WeMissUTheo #TW14 #AFC #COYG #VCC
Posted on: Sat, 18 Oct 2014 00:29:16 +0000