Updates from Tuesday, Nov 26:

Theo Walcott stepped up his pursuit of full fitness with a 15-minute appearance in Arsenal's 2-0 champions League win over Marseille.

The club's official Twitter account noted Walcott's introduction:

Double change for @Arsenal. @19SCazorla replaces Rosicky, Theo Walcott replaces @JackWilshere 2-0 (75) #AFCvMAR

— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) November 26, 2013

Updates from Monday, Nov 25:

Arsene Wenger is considering a starting role for Theo Walcott in Arsenal's Champions League clash against Marseille, but admits he has not made his mind up yet.

Arsenal's official Twitter account provides the latest:

Wenger: 'I haven't decided [whether to start Walcott]. It's fantastic to have him back' http://t.co/nhWbdBZvqQ #AFCvMAR

— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) November 25, 2013

Updates for Saturday, Nov 23:

Fron John Cross of The Daily Mirror:

Walcott on for Cazorla. Could have taken off him or Ozil. Both been, er, quiet.

— John Cross (@johncrossmirror) November 23, 2013

Updates for Thursday, Nov. 21

Arsene Wenger updated Theo Walcott's status for Arsenal's match vs. Southampton on Saturday via the club website:

Theo will be back for Saturday in the squad. He's completely fit again. He has not played for a long time, of course, he has not played even a reserve team game, but I will put him in the squad on Saturday. Yes [I will use him cautiously].

Updates for Monday, Nov. 18

Sami Mokbel of The Daily Mail has an update on Theo Walcott's injured abdomen and return to the Arsenal lineup:

Theo Walcott will make his long-awaited return to the Arsenal first-team against Southampton this weekend.

The England winger has been missing since mid-September with an abdominal injury, but he is finally ready to make a comeback against his former club on Saturday following a successful return to full-training.

Arsene Wenger hints prior to Arsenal's Champions League clash at Borussia Dortmund that Theo Walcott won't return before the international break, via the club's official website:

(Serge) Gnabry has travelled and is in the squad. Walcott is not far, he should be back soon after the break and (Mathieu) Flamini has a good chance to be available on Sunday. (Kieran) Gibbs has travelled and should be available.

John Cross of The Daily Mirror has an update on Theo Walcott's health as he tries to return from an injury to his abdomen:

Theo Walcott hopes to give Arsenal a fitness boost for Sunday’s big game at Manchester United.

The England winger has stepped up his training after abdominal surgery and while the Gunners' Wednesday trip to Borussia Dortmund may well come too soon for him, there is a chance for a return at Old Trafford.

 

From Arsene Wenger, via Arsenal's official website:

Basically we have just (Mikel) Arteta back because he was suspended. (Serge) Gnabry, who was not available for Tuesday, will not be available again, and all the other long-term injuries are not back - (Theo) Walcott, (Alex Oxlade-) Chamberlain, (Lukas) Podolski, (Abou) Diaby.

From Arsene Wenger, via Kevin Palmer of ESPNFC:

He had a setback. He had to stop, to jog again. I don't think we will see him against Dortmund, nor Crystal Palace nor Chelsea. He is at least two weeks away now.

UPDATE: Thursday, Oct. 17

Arsenal.com sat down with Arsene Wenger, who said that Theo Walcott is still two weeks away from returning from the abdominal injury that sidelined him in late September.

UPDATE: Tuesday, Oct. 15

From Wayne Veysey of Goal.com:

The Gunners are hopeful of having Theo Walcott back in the squad for Saturday's home match against Norwich City but sources say the winger must be back in training by Thursday to be in contention ...

Walcott has had surgery on an abdominal injury picked up on September 18 and Wenger predicted he would be out until November but the England international has been earmarked for a return to training at the end of this week.

There is a possibility Walcott could play against Norwich but he is believed to be more likely to return for the Champions League clash against Borussia Dortmund next Tuesday.

UPDATE: Tuesday, Oct. 8

Jack Wilshere talks to the official FA website:

I think Theo is a bit closer to coming back than Alex (Oxlade-Chamberlain), but he's working hard and is in good shape so when he gets a chance to run again he'll be fit.

UPDATE: Friday, Sept. 27

From Arsene Wenger, via Arsenal's official Twitter account:

Wenger on Walcott: "[It went] as well as it could go - there were no complications." #SCFCvAFC

— Arsenal.com (@Arsenal) September 27, 2013

Walcott "optimistically three weeks" and "realistically five weeks" away from return #SCFCvAFC

— Arsenal.com (@Arsenal) September 27, 2013

UPDATE: Thursday, Sept. 26

From Sky Sports:

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says Theo Walcott's stomach surgery in Germany was a success and that he expected him to return to full fitness ahead of the visit of Norwich City on Oct. 19 ...

Wenger told Sky Sports News: "Walcott had surgery and it went very well. He's coming back (from Germany) Thursday so it's what we expected, there were no complications."

UPDATE: Tuesday, Sept. 24

Arsene Wenger confirmed that Arsenal winger Theo Walcott will need a procedure to fix the abdominal issue that kept him out of the club's 3-1 vs. Stoke City on Sunday in an interview with Arsenal.com:

Speaking to Arsenal.com, 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. We are pleased it’s being dealt with quickly and he shouldn’t miss too many Arsenal matches. But he will miss the forthcoming international matches with England.”

Everyone at Arsenal looks forward to seeing Theo back on the pitch soon after the international break.

UPDATE: Monday, Sept. 23

Sami Mokbel of The Daily Mail has an update on the timetable for Theo Walcott's return to the Arsenal lineup:

The Arsenal forward yesterday had a series of tests on a stomach injury that caused him to pull out less than an hour before Sunday’s 3-1 win over Stoke City. 

And it is feared Walcott will miss the next two weeks, which could see him ruled out of next month’s crucial Brazil 2014 qualifiers.

Walcott is certain to miss Arsenal’s Capital One clash against West Bromwich Albion tomorrow night, and is a major doubt for the Barclays Premier League clash against Swansea on Saturday and the Champions League visit of Napoli next Tuesday.
.

Original Text

Arsene Wenger revealed in his post-match media duties that an abdominal problem had caused Walcott’s late withdrawal, but he could not offer an indication of the England man’s potential absence.

Sky Sports quotes the Arsenal manager:

He had an abdominal muscle problem, I don't really know what it is. Nobody can tell me whether it is just a question of days.

He had a test before the game and I decided to play him but he had a little problem before the Marseille game (last week) and it then became a bit worse.

It's a bit mysterious, because we don't really know what it is.

Arsenal still managed to win 3-1 against Stoke thanks to goals from Aaron Ramsey, Per Mertesacker and Bacary Sagna.

However, they will not want to be without their flying winger for long as they attempt to build on a fine start to the season that has led the Gunners to the top of the Premier League table.

Walcott scored a magnificent goal in the Champions League win at Marseille and has threatened to go on a goalscoring streak this campaign, getting into a series of good positions against Sunderland and Fulham.

Arsenal’s next game is away to West Brom in the League Cup, a fixture in which Wenger might already have planned to rest Walcott.

However, the weekend takes Arsenal to one of the league's form sides in Swansea, who smashed Valencia in their recent Europa League tie before comfortably disposing of Crystal Palace.

Walcott adds speed and the ability to counterattack to an Arsenal side that can occasionally lack those qualities, with the less mobile Olivier Giroud happier to play with his back to goal—bringing others into play.

Should Walcott face a prolonged spell on the sidelines, he would add to a list that already includes Lukas Podolski, Abou Diaby, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Santi Cazorla.