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Walcott was withdrawn from the Arsenal XI to face Stoke last weekend after feeling pain in his stomach, and the Gunners confirmed yesterday he needs surgery.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

Walcott’s injury is a blow for Arsenal, who have come to rely on the winger even more this season following the absence of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Santi Cazorla and Lukas Podolski.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger hopes to have the 24-year-old back for the game against Norwich on October 19, however.

Wenger said: “Theo will be out for a few weeks. He has developed some damage to his posterior abdominal wall. It’s not a hernia, but it’s a little structural problem in his abdomen.

“He will have the procedure in Germany on Wednesday and, because it’s so minor, we can begin his rehab immediately. We are pleased it’s being dealt with quickly and he shouldn’t miss too many Arsenal matches. But he will miss the forthcoming international matches with England.”

Walcott’s absence for Arsenal will be offset slightly if Mesut Ozil continues his sparkling early form.

Ozil’s superb start to his career in north London has heightened the anger of Real Madrid fans and players who objected to his sale to Wenger’s men.

Real president Florentino Perez defended the £42.5 million transfer last week by claiming the German asked to leave because “he couldn’t handle the pressure at Madrid.”

But fellow midfielder Cazorla insists nothing could be further from the truth, however.

“No, I don’t think that,” he said.

“He was at Real Madrid for three years and he showed his quality there.

“I don’t know why he has left Madrid, but I am sure that pressure wasn’t the reason.”

With three games coming up in seven days, Wenger is likely to give his youngsters and fringe players a run out at West Brom. Nicklas Bendtner, Emiliano Viviano and Ryo Miyaichi are likely to feature.

There could also be a first start of the season for Mikel Arteta, who came off the bench against Stoke following his recovery from a thigh injury.

Republic of Ireland Shane Long striker could return for the Baggies. following a recent knee injury.

Long is in contention along with captain Chris Brunt, who missed Saturday’s win over Sunderland with a groin problem.