Theo Walcott is targeting a return from injury in time to face Arsenal later this month, but he’s set to miss out on Everton’s next game against West Ham United.

Walcott made a strong start to the season with Everton, scoring two goals and assisting one in his first four league games. In the fourth, against Huddersfield, he was unfortunately then forced off in the second half, with a rib injury.

The Telegraph report that the forward has already started running again, but he’s likely to be just short for Everton’s West Ham clash. Ademola Lookman is likely to come in to replace the former Arsenal man.

However, with an extra week of recovery time before the match against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, Walcott is expected to return in time to face his old club on September 23rd.

Facing former players always adds an element of drama to proceedings. Robin van Persie and Emmanuel Adebayor never seemed to try as hard as when they faced Arsenal. Alexis Sanchez came close to scoring against the Gunners last season, which would’ve been his only Premier League goal against a team outside the bottom five for Manchester United.

Walcott will presumably be just as keen to make an impression against Arsenal. Hopefully the Gunners can keep him from doing so.