Arsene Wenger reveals Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is close to a return to training

After witnessing Arsenal winger Theo Walcott be stretchered off towards the end of Saturday’s FA Cup third-round tie with Tottenham, Gunners fans will be relieved to hear of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s imminent return to training.

While it has been reported that Nicklas Bendtner shall be sidelined for a month, the extent of Walcott’s injury is yet to be announced by the North London club, though the player did not appear to be in extreme agony while he was being removed from the field.

Meanwhile, according to Sky Sports, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed that Oxlade-Chamberlain is nearing match-fitness.

“He is close to being back in training,” Wenger is quoted as saying in the Sun.

“That’ll be next week but it takes time to be competitive again.”

The Southampton youth-team product has only completed 45 minutes of Premier League football so far this season, as an injury sustained in the opening half of Arsenal’s first game 3 -1 defeat against Aston Villa forced Wenger to replace the youngster with Santi Cazorla.