Walcott injury adds to Arsenal problems

Walcott injury adds to Arsenal problems

Published Sep. 8, 2010 12:19 a.m. ET

Theo Walcott was taken to hospital with an ankle injury sustained in the first half of England's 3-1 win against Switzerland, dealing Arsenal a second injury blow on Tuesday.

The in-form winger turned his right ankle in the buildup to Wayne Rooney's opening goal for England and was carried off the field on a stretcher.

Walcott was taken to hospital for an X-ray but England manager Fabio Capello said the injury was not as bad as first feared.

"It's a little problem, or not so big problem," Capello said. "He said (he'll be back) in two weeks."

Earlier Tuesday, Arsenal said Netherlands striker Robin van Persie would be out for at least another month as he recovered from an ankle injury he picked up against Blackburn on Aug. 28.

"Van Persie is likely to be out of action until mid-October," Arsenal said in a statement.

As well as missing Arsenal's first two Champions League group-stage matches, Van Persie is also likely to miss the Netherlands' European Championship qualifiers against Moldova and Sweden next month.

Van Persie missed five months last season after injuring ankle ligaments in November while on international duty.

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