SAINTS could be on course for a reunion with one of their former academy starlets next weekend.

Theo Walcott could be ready to make his comeback for Arsenal after two months on the sidelines when Mauricio Pochettino’s men arrive at The Emirates for a top of the table Premier League clash.

The England winger  has been out of action for eight weeks due to a troublesome stomach injury, Walcott last played for Arsenal on September 18, when he scored in a 2-1 Champions League win in Marseille.

That was his only goal in seven club games this season, though he had netted for England in the 3-2 win against Scotland which saw Saints talisman Rickie Lambert head the decider on his international debut.

Walcott was Arsenal’s top scorer last season for the first time in his career.

Helped by hat-tricks against Reading (Capital One Cup) and Newcastle (Premier League), Walcott had 18 goals in all competitions by the end of January.

He finished with 21 goals – easily the highest seasonal tally of his career.

The first of last season’s goals came when he jumped off the bench to notch Arsenal’s final goal in a 6-1 drubbing of Saints at The Emirates in September.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has been forced to rely on strikers Olivier Giroud and Nicklas Bendtner in recent weeks.

In addition to Walcott, he has also been without Lukas Podolski and another ex-Saint, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, due to injury.

Ex-Saints midfielder Jamie Redknapp believes Arsenal have particularly missed the pace and trickery of Walcott.

“The international break came at a good time for Arsenal,” Redknapp said.

“They need Theo Walcott back to give them an extra dimension and some variety.”

Podolski, who also scored for Arsenal in their 6-1 drubbing of Saints last season, has resumed light training and could be back by the end of this month.

Oxlade-Chamberlain, though, could be out until Christmas following the serious knee injury he sustained in the opening day defeat against Aston Villa.

That is one of just two league defeats Arsenal have suffered in 11 games this term, the second coming last weekend at Old Trafford.