Walcott out for four weeks

Arsenal forward Theo Walcott is facing three to four weeks on the sidelines with knee ligament damage.

Walcott was hurt in a challenge with Birmingham's Liam Ridgewell during the Gunners' 3-1 victory at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday and limped out of the action in the 33rd minute.

The England international was making his first start of the season having been unavailable since the summer with a back problem but is now facing another spell in the treatment room.

Walcott is certain to miss Tuesday's Champions League trip Holland to face AZ Alkmaar and is unlikely to be back in time for the reverse fixture against the Dutch side on November 4.

He will also miss Sunday's trip to West Ham, the Carling Cup fourth-round clash at home to Liverpool and the North London derby date with Tottenham.

Arsene Wenger will also be without midfield playmaker Tomas Rosicky for Tuesday's Group H clash, but left-back Gael Clichy is available again.

Nicklas Bendtner, Denilson, Eduardo, Lukasz Fabianski and Johan Djourou remain out of action and will not travel to Holland.