Carl Jenkinson has admitted that the news that Arsenal teammate Theo Walcott would miss the rest of the season is tough to accept but is certain that he will return better than ever.

The Gunners, who sit top of the table with 18 games to go, were rocked by the news on Monday that the England international has been ruled out for the next six months with knee ligament damage, meaning that he will miss the remainder of Arsenal's campaign and the World Cup finals in Brazil this summer.

"If anybody is going to come back better and stronger, it is Theo," Jenkinson told the club's official website. "He is incredibly focused and mentally he is a very strong character. Theo will be fine, I have no doubts about that. I am disappointed that we have lost him for the rest of the season because he is a massive player for us and brings us something unique.

"It is tough to see one of your friends out for a long period of time. You wouldn't wish it on anybody and it is probably the worst news we have had all season. He had only just come back from a previous injury and had been scoring goals for fun, so from both points of views it it terrible news.

"But Theo is a very strong guy and while it may take a bit of time to take it all in, he will just get on with things and fingers crossed the time flies by, for his sake and for ours."

Walcott is yet to feature in a World Cup for England, having been an unused 17-year-old in 2006 before being overlooked for selection in 2010.