Arsenal's Theo Walcott set to return from injury

Theo Walcott could make his first Arsenal appearance for more than two months on Saturday after recovering from an abdominal injury.

Walcott is in the squad to face his former club Southampton on Saturday.

The 24-year-old pulled out of the league match with Stoke on 22 September after aggravating the injury four days earlier against Marseille.

"He has not played even a reserve team game, but I will put him in the squad on Saturday," said boss Arsene Wenger.

"He's completely fit again."

Wenger initially deployed Serge Gnabry in Walcott's role, but has since had his midfield options strengthened by the return of Mikel Arteta and Jack Wilshere.

"Theo has different qualities to other players and I am very pleased that he's back," Wenger added on Arsenal's official website.

"Strikers who get behind the defenders is a very important quality and Theo has that quality."

Arsenal were level on points with Tottenham at the top of the Premier League before Walcott's injury prior to the Stoke game. They now have a two-point advantage over Liverpool in second.