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Theo Walcott hopes to give Arsenal a fitness boost for Sunday’s big game at Manchester United.

The England winger has stepped up his training after abdominal surgery and while the Gunners' Wednesday trip to Borussia Dortmund may well come too soon for him, there is a chance for a return at Old Trafford.

Full-back Kieran Gibbs is also set to miss Arsenal’s key Champions League tie in Germany because of a calf problem suffered against Liverpool on Saturday night. Nacho Monreal is set to fill in.

Jack Wilshere's ankle injury means he is also unlikely to travel for a game Arsenal desperately need a result from after losing the reverse fixture two weeks ago.

Walcott has been out since mid-September with a stomach problem which required an operation but is still on schedule for recovery - although he may not be ready when Roy Hodgson names his England squad on Thursday for the friendlies against Chile and Germany.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is unlikely to take any risks with Walcott and any return on Sunday will probably be from the bench.

Arsenal’s injury list now appears to be easing - Lukas Podolski is making good progress and could be back by the end of the month, and Mathieu Flamini is also set to return against United.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is still likely to be out until Christmas though.

Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp is expecting a tough game.

Klopp, who claimed he'd rather watch the Gunners than watch Barcelona, said: “The victory in London is forgotten and this will be harder as Arsenal need a result.”

How Group F stands