Arsenal boosted by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's return to training as club come to terms with Theo Walcott absence

EPL: Arsene Wenger will have been boosted by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's return to training on the same day that he learned extent of Theo Walcott's injury

Arsenal did receive one significant injury boost on Monday when Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain returned to full training ahead of a possible appearance for the Under-21 team on Thursday.  Oxlade-Chamberlain has not played since suffering a knee injury on the opening day of the season more than four months ago but is now again training with the Arsenal full squad and targeting a first-team comeback later this month.

That would be especially timely following the rupture to Theo Walcott’s anterior cruciate ligament that will keep him out for the rest of the season. Oxlade-Chamberlain is regarded by Wenger as a potential replacement to Walcott on the right of Arsenal’s midfield, although Serge Gnabry’s emergence does also provide another option.  Given the length of his absence, it is likely that Oxlade-Chamberlain will play several matches for Arsenal’s Under-21s before returning to Premier League football. England manager Roy Hodgson, who included Oxlade-Chamberlain in his squad for Euro 2012, will also be closely monitoring his progress over the second half of the season.