Arsenal forward Danny Welbeck has been impressed by Theo Walcott’s recent form, and is looking forward to competing for his place as he nears a return from injury.

Welbeck hasn’t played since April and underwent surgery on a niggling knee injury at the end of August. In that time, Walcott has scored in an FA Cup final and is now keeping Olivier Giroud out with his form.

26-year-old Walcott knows what it’s like to have lengthy spells out through injury, and Welbeck can take comfort from the way his team-mate has recovered.

“It’s good to have healthy rivalry as it gives the manager selection problems and that’s a good headache to have,” Welbeck said as he visited kids at an Arsenal academy in Dubai. Jamie Vardy is impressing for Leicester City and Daniel Sturridge is back in action for Liverpool – Welbeck will have to perform well when he returns ignored to make Roy Hodgson’s Euro 2016 squad.

“There are players throughout the England and Arsenal squad who do the business on the pitch and Theo has been doing that. He had a lengthy spell out with injury before that and now he’s back trying to kick on and improve and that’s what he’s doing.”

The former Manchester United striker is finally looking forward to his own comeback, though he’s no closer to knowing an exact date.

“It’s difficult to put an exact date on it, but maybe around the New Year.

“It’s good to be out of the brace and walking, it feels a little bit closer to getting back on the pitch and getting on with things.”

Hopefully there are no serious setbacks and we can have Danny back as soon as possible. A deep squad will be needed as the season goes on, and his combination of pace and strength is something Walcott is only showing flashes of right now.

On top of that, it would be great for him to go to the European Championships.