FA Ready To Pay Arsenal For Theo Walcott

Arsenal star Theo Walcott was recently injured whilst on international duty with Fabio Capello's England.

As the Three Lions prepared for their clash with Germany, the winger fell awkwardly during training and sustained a shoulder injury. He soldiered on, but the joint dislocated and he needed urgent hospital treatment.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger initially feared Walcott would spend four months on the sidelines, although reports have suggested that, following an operation to repair the shoulder ligaments, he could be back at the end of January or early February.

Either way, Arsenal are likely to seek compensation from the Football Association - a move which will turn up the heat in the club vs. country row.

Unperturbed, an FA spokesman has told the English press that the Association is ready to splash out and more than able to recompense aggrieved clubs.

"We have an extensive policy which would ultimately pay a player up to £100,000-a-week for a maximum of almost two years if that was necessary and the player was on that amount," the spokesman boasted.

"Theo is on a lot less than that, so I am sure our insurers are quite comfortable with whatever situation there may be regarding any compensation."

If Walcott is out for ten weeks, £300,000 would be wired to the Emirates, as the starlet is on around £30,000-a-week.

Greg Ptolomey, Goal.com