Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger feels ex-Saints starlet Theo Walcott should be "very positive" of making a full recovery from his serious knee injury following surgery.
The 24-year-old is set to be sidelined for six months after suffering anterior cruciate ligament damage when making a defensive tackle in the FA Cup third-round win over Tottenham, which shattered his World Cup dream.
Wenger revealed the operation had gone "very well", and now it would be a case of everyone focussing on the player's long-term recovery.
"The damage was real in the knee so he will have to take the needed time, so let's not be hopeful that he will go to the World Cup - that is not possible, but overall his long-term future is very positive," Wenger said.
"It is about being fit for next season now."
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