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Sunday March 8, 2009

Walcott’s return will give Gunners momentum

LONDON: Arsene Wenger hopes Theo Walcott’s return to action in today’s FA Cup fifth round clash against Burnley will give Arsenal the momentum to keep their season alive.

Walcott is back after surgery on a shoulder injury sustained during training with England before their November friendly against Germany.

The 19-year-old, who last played for Arsenal on Nov 15, was in fine form before the injury and Wenger believes he can have a significant impact on a big week for the Gunners.

Victory over Division Two club Burnley at the Emirates Stadium would set up a winnable home clash with Hull in the quarter-finals. Then Wenger’s side travel to Italy for Wednesday’s second leg of their Champions League last 16 tie against Roma hoping to hold onto their one- goal lead.

Wenger knows Walcott’s shoulder will be tested by the physical demands of top-level competition but he expect the teenager to cope.

“It is very important to see how he will respond with his shoulder and I think he looks to be nearly there. To have him back is great and he can be very good for us,” Wenger said.

“However, the difference between training and competition is different.

“Theo is very fit, but after that you have to get used to tackles and go into the challenges.”

Walcott’s return, and that of Croatia striker Eduardo from a hamstring injury, are perfectly timed for Wenger, who has seen his side struggle to score in recent weeks.

Arsenal ended a run of four successive goalless league draws by beating bottom of the table West Bromwich Albion in midweek, but Wenger knows he needs as many attacking options as possible for the sterner tests that lie ahead — starting with Owen Coyle’s Burnley.

Wenger will not underestimate the challenge posed by the Clarets, who knocked Arsenal out of the League Cup at Turf Moor in December and also beat Chelsea and Fulham in the same competition.

“It is an important game and not one we will treat lightly. We treat it with respect and focus,” Wenger said.

“We know Burnley well and that they are a good side. The Division Two teams are now a serious candidate in every game.

“They have shown that recently, and we have the experience of playing Division Two teams.

“The gap has been reduced between Division Two teams and the Premier League — you see that in the results of the FA Cup and League Cup.”

Wenger is set to rotate some of his personnel today, with goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski given another chance to impress but defender Kolo Toure, who has a calf injury, will not be risked.

Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor is unlikely to be match fit in time for the Roma game as he battles to recover from his own hamstring injury.

“I have to measure the consequence of resting one or two players more and having a bad game, and of making sure we get through,” Wenger said.

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