Theo Walcott will miss the World Cup after Arsenal confirmed the winger will be out for six months with a knee injury.

Walcott was stretchered off in the second half of the Gunners' match-up with Tottenham on Saturday evening in the third round of the FA Cup and the club have been performing tests on the England international since to determine the extent of his knee problem.

And it seems that the worst possible scenario has become a reality for the young star who had hopes of booking a ticket to Brazil in the summer with Arsenal confirming he has injured his anterior cruciate ligament – an injury which requires six months of rehabilitation.

A statement from the club read: "After coming off injured in Saturday's 2-0 win against Tottenham Hotspur, the Club regrettably announces that Theo Walcott has sustained a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament of his left knee.

"Theo will have surgery in London in the near future and is expected to be out for at least six months, therefore missing the remainder of the season and the World Cup in Brazil in the summer.

"Everyone at Arsenal wishes Theo a speedy recovery and we look forward to seeing him back on a football pitch as soon as possible."

Earlier today the FA confirmed it would not take action against Walcott for gesturing the scoreline of the Tottenham match to the opposition fans as he was taken off the pitch on Saturday.

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