Latest update: September 26 2011

Theo Walcott’s injury, suffered in Arsenal’s 3-0 win against Bolton on Saturday, is not as bad as first believed. The sharp pain he felt behind his knee was first feared to be a hamstring injury. Arsenal have now confirmed Walcott should be available already this week, with the important features of Olympiakos in the Champions League and the North London derby at Tottenham Hotspur.

Theo Walcott is a right winger who plays for English side Arsenal and England. Walcott came up through the youth squad at Southampton with the likes of players like Gareth Bale. In 2005 he made his debut for Southampton’s first team aged 16 years and 143 days, which is a club record for Southampton. At the end of they year he was named amongst the top three finalists for the prestigious BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year award.

Walcott transferred to Arsenal on 20 January 2006, for a fee of £5 million, rising to £12 million depending on appearances for club and country. On 19 August 2006 he made his Premier League debut, making his mark with an assist. Walcott had been playing for England at U16, U17 and U19 levels and a shock selection saw him included in the senior squad for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. He became England’s youngest ever player when he made his debut in May 2006 in a friendly match against Hungary. Walcott was 17 years and 75 days. At the end of the year he won the BBC Young Sports Personality of the year award. In September 2008 Walcott scored a hattrick for England when they beat Croatia 4-1 in a qualifyer for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. England qualified for the 2010 World Cup but Walcott was not selected, which England coach Fabio Capello later has expressed regrets over.