Arsenal and England lose Walcott

Theo Walcott will miss Arsenal FC's next UEFA Champions League fixture against SSC Napoli after news that the forward will need an operation on his abdomen.

According to the Premier League club: "The winger missed Sunday's win over Stoke City after developing slight damage to his posterior abdominal wall. As a result, it has been decided that Theo should undergo the minor procedure, which will enable him to start his recovery immediately afterwards."

Manager Arsène Wenger said: "Theo will be out for a few weeks. He has developed some damage to his posterior abdominal wall. It's not a hernia, but it's a little structural problem in his abdomen. He will have the procedure in Germany on Wednesday and, because it's so minor, we can begin his rehab immediately."

Walcott, 24, who scored in the Gunners' opening 2-1 Group F win at Olympique de Marseille, will not be fit to meet Napoli in north London next Tuesday. However, after sitting out England's decisive FIFA World Cup qualifiers at home to Montenegro and Poland next month, Arsenal expect to welcome the winger back in time to face Borussia Dortmund on 22 October.