By Sami Mokbel
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Theo Walcott will not be fit for England's make-or-break World Cup qualifiers against Montenegro and Poland.
As revealed by Sportsmail on Monday, the Arsenal forward had a series of tests on a stomach injury that caused him to pull out less than an hour before Sunday's 3-1 win over Stoke City.
As feared, Walcott will have to have a minor procedure on his abdomen that will see him miss next month's crucial Brazil 2014 qualifiers.
Benchmark: Theo Walcott (centre) was forced to watch from the stands after injuring himself ahead of the Stoke game
Scuppered: Theo Walcott (left) will miss the next two weeks of action with a stomach injury
HARD TO STOMACH...
Capital One Cup - Third Round
25th September West Brom (A)
Premier League
28th September Swansea (A)
Champions League
1st October Napoli (H)
Premier League
6th October Arsenal (A)
World Cup Qualifiers
11th October Montenegro (H)
15th October Poland (H)
Walcott will also be unavailable for Arsenal's Capital One clash against West Bromwich Albion on Wednesday, as well as the Barclays Premier League clashes against Swansea and the Baggies and the Champions League visit of Napoli next Tuesday.
A statement on Arsenal's official website on Tuesday afternoon read: 'Theo Walcott will have a minor procedure on his abdomen in Germany on Wednesday which will keep him out of action until after the next international break.'
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger added: 'Theo will be out for a few weeks. He has developed some damage to his posterior abdominal wall. It's not a hernia, but it's a little structural problem in his abdomen.
'He will have the procedure in Germany on Wednesday and, because it's so minor, we can begin his rehab immediately. We are pleased it's being dealt with quickly and he shouldn't miss too many Arsenal matches. But he will miss the forthcoming international matches with England.'
As well as a big blow to Wenger, the news will come as a huge worry to England manager Roy Hodgson, who needs two wins from the clashes to be certain of qualification. Walcott was set to start in both matches.
Blow: England manager Roy Hodgson will have to do without Walcott for games against Poland and Montenegro
Meanwhile, Arsenal's ability to make another signing of the class of Mesut Ozil was underlined after it emerged they are sitting on a whopping 120million kitty.
The club, who released their end-of-year financial report yesterday, have recorded a 6.7m pre-tax profit. They also have cash reserves of 119.7m.
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One injury and the gunners are no longer challenging for the title? Don't make me kaugh. Arsenal with 7 boys in the team would be too good for the Spuds. Get well soon Theo, we'll miss you.
Not an Arsenal fan - far from it - but I want England at the World Cup and Walcott has produced some great performances for his country. This is really bad news. I understand all the 'thank God he'll be okay for the Champions League' chat from Gooners, but do you really want England at home over the summer? World cups without us are like gin and tonic without the gin.
Scotchy of Eggdom, - I love you for that reply! top man COYG!
England could do with one less headless chicken running around.
Great! Walnutt has totally messed up my FPL plan. Now I'll have to take a 4 point hit to transfer him out and get Ozil on to my fantasy football team. Rooney captain anyone?
Incredible, according to your green box above, Walcott is going to miss Arsenal's big clash away to..... Arsenal. Terrible.
Dropping like flies! I've thought for years that the medical team at Arsenal must be doing something wrong - we ALWAYS seem to get way more injuries than anyone else!
The Decline begins!
Well, Daniel Sturridge has had quite a good start to the season hasn't he?? Will he get an injury now I've suggested he play????
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haaggus, College Park, 14 minutes ago
Geez without Theo Walcott's prolific goalscoring I dunno how England will cope.