PHOTOS: Theo Walcott and Serge Gnabry returns to training with Arsenal after knee injuries

Theo Walcott has expressed his delight at coming through his first full training session in nine months as the Arsenal forward edges closer to full fitness after his knee injury lay-off.

The England star looked sharp as he and his Arsenal team-mates were put through their paces at London Colney.

And the speedster is expected to be fit enough to be on the substitutes bench for Arsenal against Hull on Saturday - a welcome boost to manager Arsene Wenger who is already without the likes of Mesut Ozil, Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud.

German forward Serge Gnabry also returned to training on Monday, having been out since March because of a knee problem.

It will come as a relief for Wenger and the club's supporters to see Walcott striking free-kicks, connecting with volleys and running at pace during Monday's training session, and the Gunners boss hinted that a return for the winger could be imminent.

'Theo is not too far away now,' Wenger said last week. 'Serge has been out for a long, long time and Theo has also been out for nine months, so it's good to see them back.

'They've worked very hard and they're very dedicated. They are back in the group on a daily basis and that's very good news.'

However, the Gunners are still without midfielders Mesut Ozil, Aaron Ramsey and Mikel Arteta and defender Mathieu Debuchy.

Arsenal are eighth in the Premier League and entertain Hull City on Saturday, before travelling to Belgium to play Anderlecht in the Champions League on Wednesday, 22 October.

Credit: Charlie Eccleshare/SportsMail/BBC Sport
Photo Credit: Arsenal