Stomach surgery sidelines Walcott

Arsenal winger Theo Walcott has been ruled out for three weeks because he needs stomach surgery.

Walcott was withdrawn from the Arsenal XI to face Stoke last weekend after feeling pain in his stomach, and the Gunners confirmed yesterday he needs surgery.

Walcott will miss tonight’s Capital One Cup trip to West Brom, Premier League games against Swansea and the Baggies, the home Champions League game against Napoli and England’s crunch qualifiers against Montenegro and Poland.