Arsenal Close To Getting Theo Walcott Back Into Lineup On Saturday

Jul 26, 2014; Harrison, NJ, USA; New York Red Bulls midfielder Lloyd Sam (10) and Arsenal defender Ignasi Miquel (51) fight for the ball during the second half of a game at Red Bull Arena. The Red Bulls defeated Arsenal 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

Arsenal is likely to have star Theo Walcott on the pitch for Saturday’s match against Sunderland

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Arsenal is close to getting back the services of star forward Theo Walcott in time for Saturday’s EPL match against Sunderland. It would mark the first time that Walcott will appear with the club since sustaining a torn ACL against rival Tottenham during FA Cup play in January.

Walcott missed the remainder of the EPL season along with missing the World Cup.

The 25-year-old Walcott played 45 minutes last Friday with the U-21 club, and has continued showing marked progress in practice this week. Manager Arsene Wenger will make a final decision on Friday whether to add Walcott back to the roster or give him another rehab assignment with the U-21 team when they face Stoke City.

The club is also expected to have Danny Walbeck, who was banged up in Wednesday’s 2-1 win over Anderlecht in UEFA League play. However, Arsenal will most likely be without Laurent Koscielny, who has missed much of the season with a recurring bout of tendonitis. With Koscielny out, the club will have to continue relying on Calum Chambers or Nacho Monreal teaming up with Per Mertesack at center-back.

Walcott has been a member of Arsenal since 2006, when he became the youngest-ever senior league player in English football history. He has scored 45 goals in 194 EPL appearances. He scored a career-best 14 goals in 2012-13. He has also been a part of the English national team since 2006, accounting for five goals in 36 matches.

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