Arsenal: Walcott ruled out for the rest of the season with knee injury

Arsenal midfielder Theo Walcott has been ruled out for at least six months with a knee injury, the club have confirmed.

Walcott was stretchered off during the Gunners’ 2-0 north London derby victory over Tottenham on Sunday and scans have revealed he has ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament.

The 24-year-old will undergo surgery to rectify the problem, which will sideline him for the rest of the Premier League season and the World Cup in Brazil this summer.

Walcott courted controversy during Saturday’s match when, while being stretchered off, he smilingly held up two fingers to the Spurs fans to remind them of the score.

The Football Association confirmed on Monday that the winger would face no disciplinary action for the gesture, but now injury has brought a premature end to his campaign.

Walcott has made 21 appearances for Arsenal and England this season, scoring seven goals.