Arsenal injury news: Theo Walcott set to return to full training within a week

Arsenal forward Theo Walcott is reportedly set to return to training within a week following his recovery from a groin injury.

According to the Mirror, the Gunners star is undergoing intense treatment with the north London club's medical staff for the groin injury he picked up when on international duty with England and he hopes to avoid going under the knife for the second time this year.

Walcott, who only recently returned from a nine-month spell on the sidelines due to a cruciate knee ligament injury, has yet to make a start for Arsenal this season. He has only made two substitute appearances, before he suffered the groin injury that has kept him since the last international break.

The report claims that the England international hoped to return to full training within a week, and if he does, Walcott might be available for the crucial fixtures coming up during the Christmas and New Year period.

Earlier in the week Arsene Wenger had revealed that the former Southampton forward was getting injections for his groin problem and ruled him out of the weekend Premier League clash against Stoke City, which the Gunners lost 3-2 and also admitted that the midweek Champions League clash against Galatasaray was too early for him to make a return.

Arsenal are being extra cautious with their striker and will not rush him into action, and it is believed that they are keeping the option of surgery open, if he does not respond well to the treatment when he is re-assessed this week.

The north London club can afford to take their time with his recovery process as they are not short on cover for their offensive positions with the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Olivier Giroud, Danny Welbeck and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all fit and playing on a regular basis.