Theo Walcott makes his controversial gesture

The England international could be facing up to a month on the sidelines if the knee injury he suffered in Saturday evening's 2-0 FA Cup victory over Tottenham is as bad as first medical examinations indicate.

The referee's report from that match will also be submitted to the Football Association and in it, Walcott's controversial gesture to Spurs fans is likely to be mentioned.

Walcott made a '2-0' sign towards the away end as he was stretchered off the Emirates Stadium pitch, whilst simultaneously being pelted with missiles.

Walcott is widely expected to escape FA punishment but Tottenham could be in trouble because of the missiles.

Last month Jack Wilshere was given a retrospective two-match ban for making an offensive hand gesture towards the Manchester City supporters which saw him miss the matches against Chelsea and at West Ham, on Boxing Day.

The England midfielder hopes his team-mate does not suffer the same disciplinary action.

"I think they (Spurs fans) were giving him a bit of stick. He's a bit smarter than me, I suppose," Wilshere said.

"It is football. They were giving it to him and got it back. People have to look at it as a bit of banter."

Walcott's knee is of greater concern to Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, who is hoping the forward - outstanding against Spurs - only suffered 'a kick'.

But the early signs are that he has suffered ligament damage and could be out for four weeks, further adding to Wenger's striking issues, with Olivier Giroud struggling with a knock and Nicklas Bendtner out for a month.