• Premier League

Walcott makes Arsenal return for Under-21s

ESPN staff
October 17, 2014
Theo Walcott turned out for Arsenal's under-21 side on Friday © Getty Images
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Theo Walcott returned to action for Arsenal as he played 45 minutes of the under-21 team's 0-0 draw against Blackburn Rovers on Friday night.

Walcott has not played for the first team since rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during an FA Cup match against Tottenham in January, but he made his return to full training on Monday.

He then took another step closer to full fitness when he played the first half at Meadow Park in a team that also included Abou Diaby, who played 67 minutes, and Serge Gnabry, who came off just before the hour mark.

"It's been a hard nine months and I have to say a huge thank you to the Arsenal medical team," he told Sky Sports News. "I've had so much support and it's nice to be out there. I just want to get back fit."

Asked if there were any twinges, he replied: "Not at all."

He said there was no prospect of a return to action with the first team this weekend but was unsure whether he would be in contention to play against Anderlecht in the Champions League on Wednesday.

However, he stressed: "It's important to recover well. You need to be a bit patient."

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