Arsenal duo to miss England games

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will miss England's friendlies against Spain and France in November.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will miss England's friendlies against Spain and France in November.

The duo have been ruled out for at least three weeks after sustaining respective calf and hamstring injuries in Wednesday's bitterly disappointing 3-0 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday in the Capital One Cup fourth round.

As such, they will miss Arsenal's games against Swansea, Tottenham and Bayern Munich, as well as the upcoming international friendlies.

"They are out until after the international break," Wenger said.

"Nothing has changed since after the game. They are out but the scans are on Thursday - it's 48 hours afterwards.

"We hope they are light injuries. We are short now with the injuries."

Arsenal are currently level on points with top-of-the-table Manchester city, who hold pole position by virtue of a superior goal difference.