Theo Walcott: Arsene Wenger says winger needs time to recover

Arsenal winger Theo Walcott has won 36 caps for England

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has warned that it will take another two months for England international Theo Walcott to get back to his best.

Walcott, 25, has recovered from a cruciate knee ligament injury and is set to make his first Arsenal start since January at Swansea on Sunday.

Wenger said: "Once you're back in full training, you count two months.

"Of course, people think you're back and you play but it's not like that. Ten months (out) is a long time."

Walcott made his comeback as a substitute in Arsenal's 3-0 win over Burnley last weekend and has been included in Roy Hodgson's England squad for the European Championship qualifier against Slovenia and the friendly in Scotland.

And Wenger believes the winger will benefit from his time with the national squad.

Wenger added: "He will go with England and get what he needs to. He will get competitive training every day and get back into games.

"Roy Hodgson is free to do what he wants. (Walcott) has been chosen by England and he needs competition."