• FA Cup

Walcott relieved to make winning return

ESPN staff
January 4, 2015
Theo Walcott suffered knee ligament damage in January last year © Getty Images
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Arsenal winger Theo Walcott was delighted to get his first start since coming back from a serious knee injury in his side's 2-0 FA Cup third round win over Hull at the Emirates.

The England international made two substitute appearances in November but picked up a groin problem in the second against Swansea.

Walcott was again a substitute in Arsenal's New Year's Day win at former club Southampton.

January 4 was a significant date for Walcott, with it being a year to the day since he suffered ligament damage to his left knee against Tottenham, and the 25-year-old was understandably delighted to start against Hull.

"It's amazing. It has been a year to the day, so to get my first start and blow cobwebs away, I was pleased,'' he told BBC Sport.

"Mentally [is the toughest thing]. You have to see how you can cope with watching your teammates going out to train and you're only [the] one in the treatment room, but it gave me the opportunity to build on something.''

A Per Mertesacker goal and Alexis Sanchez's 16th Arsenal strike saw the Gunners into the fourth round.

"I think we were fairly comfortable,'' Walcott added. "He [Sanchez] is a special player and it is great to be on the pitch with him.''

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