Arsenal supporters will breathe a sigh of relief after Theo Walcott’s confirmed absence for the season, as youngster Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is on the verge of returning to full fitness after an injury that has kept him out for the entirety of the first 20 matches in the Barclays Premier League.

The news of Walcott’s injury has shaken up the supporters and Arsene Wenger, as the manager prepares his squad for the second half of the campaign. At this point, Arsenal lead the league table with 45 points and a one point lead over second place Manchester City. However, Wenger will be wary of the fact that only 7 points separate the top five teams in the standings.

For the Ox, the second half of the season could be the most important in his career so far, as it would give him the perfect base to demand a first team place in Roy Hodgson’s England side in the FIFA World Cup in Brazil. The attacking midfielder will be needed in Walcott’s absence, and will slot right into the squad as a replacement for his compatriot, most likely for both club and country. His immediate bursts of pace will be an asset to the team, and he will benefit with mature players like Mesut Ozil and Santi Cazorla present to help improve his game and decision making which in turn will erady him for the World Cup.

Only time will tell whether Walcott’s injury results in a bad ending to a good start to the season, or just an obstacle in a title winning campaign with Chamberlain and others arriving back in the nick of time to provide the depth and skill Arsenal will need down the stretch.