Theo Walcott Closer to Arsenal Return

Arsenal forward Theo Walcott is on course for a return from a knee injury next month, according to manager Arsene Wenger.

The England international ruptured his anterior cruciate knee ligaments last January in the FA Cup win over Tottenham Hotspur and missed the remainder of the season, as well as the World Cup.

But ahead of Sunday's Community Shield, the season's traditional curtain raiser, Arsenal boss Wenger has confirmed Walcott is on the comeback trail and that he might be available next month.

"Theo Walcott is planned to come back into my group on 31 August, beginning of September latest," he said. "He's doing well but he's not completely ready. I would say end of August."

Asked whether he could figure in the England friendly against Norway, Wenger added: "To play an international match, that could be a bit early."

Wenger's prognosis suggests that the earliest Walcott could be available for Arsenal would be the Premier League home game against Manchester City, though matches against Aston Villa and Tottenham follow before the end of the month.

Upon his return from injury Walcott will link up with new signing Alexis Sanchez in the Arsenal attack, and the 25-year-old believes the pair could make up a deadly partnership.

"Watch out #PremierLeague. Me and @Alexis_Sanchez will be a deadly force!! #afc #COYG #SpeedMatters," Walcott wrote on Twitter when Sanchez joined.

"Sanchez is a world-class player and I enjoyed watching him play for Barcelona and for Chile at the World Cup,' Walcott said.

"He's still very young as well and he is going to show so much pace and power, which we lacked a bit last year. With me and him on the flanks, a lot of teams won't be looking forward to playing Arsenal this year.

"There's a great buzz around the club at the moment. He is a marquee signing and something that the club has pushed on to: first you had Mesut Ozil and now it is Alexis Sanchez. Who knows where it is going to stop?

"It is great to learn from these players, and I cannot wait to play alongside him. I am really looking forward to it."