Walcott may boost Arsenal's title hopes

Theo Walcott is struggling for form and fitness before a game that could reinvigorate or all but end Arsenal's hopes of winning the Premier League.

But his manager is not concerned by the winger's below-par performances and believes they are natural, given the injury problems that have blighted his season.

"I am not worried about Walcott," said Arsene Wenger before Arsenal's visit to Stamford Bridge today. Defeat would leave Arsenal nine points behind top team Chelsea after last weekend's 3-1 defeat at home to Manchester United, in which Walcott was a second-half substitute.

Fabio Capello has more pressing matters on his mind, but Walcott's status will be firmly on the England manager's radar in the coming weeks before the game against Egypt at Wembley on March 3.

Aaron Lennon has proved an attractive alternative on the right flank, but the Tottenham Hotspur winger has missed the past five weeks with a groin problem, giving Capello more to ponder than the captaincy issue ahead of the friendly.

Walcott's injury record this season arguably vindicates Wenger's belief that playing for both England and England under-21 last summer was an excessive physical burden.

The 20-year-old had an inflamed back during pre-season and did not make the first team until October. Then he damaged knee ligaments against Birmingham City and was sidelined for five weeks.

He suffered a hamstring strain in Arsenal's 3-0 home defeat by Chelsea in November, then missed four games in December and January with a rib injury. Walcott has made five starts this season and completed 90 minutes once - against Olympiacos in the Champions League in December.

Arsenal are awaiting the availability of Abou Diaby, who missed Sunday's demoralising defeat with a calf problem. If he is fit, Diaby could come into the midfield at the expense of Denilson, who was ineffective against United.

"Diaby is not yet back in normal training," said Wenger. "He progresses very well but we will still have to wait. He is a maybe."

Arsenal are short of options up front. Robin van Persie is out until April, Eduardo da Silva will not have recovered from his hamstring injury, Carlos Vela has a knee problem, while Nicklas Bendtner has just returned after missing nearly three months due to knee surgery. - ©The Times, London