There’s more bad news for England and Arsenal, after Theo Walcott dislocated his shoulder while training with the national squad ahead of tonight’s friendly with Germany.

The young winger was taken to hospital where the shoulder was immediately reset. It’s expected that Walcott will return home to England some time later today.

It’s another blow to England coach Fabio Capello who’s already without a number of first teamers including Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney.

But his absence will be felt more keenly by Arsenal for whom Walcott has been a regular this season. Even if he was to recover within a month, he’ll miss at least four Premier League games and the remainder of Arsenal’s Champions League group campaign.

The news will doubtless infuriate Gunners manager Arsene Wenger who had been critical of the timing of the game, even before his young star was injured. Speaking to the club web site earlier this week he said:

It is particularly not welcome at the moment because it is at a period where you want your players to recover a little bit.

I don’t see what you gain from this friendly because there is no game. You can explain a friendly to prepare for an official match but after this there is no international game for four months.

After being informed as to the extent of Walcott’s injury, Fabio Capello said:

Our priority is Theo and making him as comfortable as possible before he returns home.

We are all very disappointed, but the important thing is for Theo to travel home and make a quick recovery.

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