Former Arsenal goalkeeper Bob Wilson has revealed that Theo Walcott is in positive spirits despite being ruled out for the rest of the season with a cruciate ligament injury.

Walcott suffered the knee problem on Saturday during the Gunners' 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup third round.

The injury means that the 24-year-old England international will miss this summer's World Cup in Brazil.

"Having been at the Spurs game live I watched a recording on Monday, and only then did I realise how well Theo played in the central striking role," he told Sky Sports News.

"I was in the process of texting congratulations to him when I heard about the anterior cruciate injury. I did text him to say how well he played and that we were thinking of him and - as you'd expect because he's such a good guy - I got a very, very positive response.

"It wasn't a long message, but the main line coming through was 'I will get through this'."

Arsenal are back in Premier League action on Monday night when they face Aston Villa at Villa Park.