LONDON -- Arsenal winger Theo Walcott will miss the World Cup for England after being ruled out for six months on Monday with a torn knee ligament, an injury that also deals a major setback to his clubs hopes of winning the Premier League. Walcott ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee as he made a tackle toward the end of Arsenals 2-0 win over Tottenham in the FA Cup on Saturday. "Theo will have surgery in London in the near future and is expected to be out for at least six months," Arsenal said in a statement, "therefore missing the remainder of the season and the World Cup in Brazil in the summer." It keeps up Walcotts unfortunate luck at World Cups -- he was a surprise selection for the 2006 tournament in Germany as a 17-year-old but wasnt used, before being left out of the squad in 2010. He would have been a guaranteed pick by England coach Roy Hodgson for this summers tournament, likely competing with Andros Townsend for the right-wing berth. Walcott had been in brilliant form for Arsenal since returning in November after two months out with an abdominal injury, scoring five goals in his last five league games to help his team stay top of the standings heading into 2014. Arsenal leads Manchester City by a point after 20 games. The injury to Walcott deprives Arsene Wengers side of one of its best goal threats and a back-up to leading striker Olivier Giroud, who is currently out injured. With Nicklas Bendtner also out, possibly for a month, it leaves Wenger with few options up front. Currently, Lukas Podolski is the only fit forward in the squad and he usually plays on the left wing. It may prompt Wenger to make a move in the January transfer market, with Arsenal facing a busy second half of the season after reaching the last 16 of the Champions League, where it will play Bayern Munich. Arsenal hasnt won a trophy since 2005. Earlier Monday, Walcott escaped punishment for taunting Tottenham fans while he was being taken off on a stretcher after sustaining the injury. As medics carried him in front of visiting supporters, Walcott signalled the 2-0 score with his fingers, prompting Tottenham supporters to pelt him with coins and bottles. The Football Association said it has contacted Walcott "and reminded him of his responsibilities regarding a scoreline gesture he made," but will not be taking any further disciplinary action. The governing body also said it has contacted the north London clubs to seek their observations in relation to objects being thrown from both sets of fans during the game. Flames Jerseys China . PETERSBURG, Fla. Wholesale Flames Jerseys . 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Calgary Flames Shirts . - Whether its because of her improved play or the reason for it, Michelle Wie appears as comfortable on and off the golf course as at any time in her career.(SportsNetwork.com) - The Toronto Maple Leafs hope to pick up where they left off before the Olympic break when they visit the John Tavares-less New York Islanders in Thursdays clash at Nassau Coliseum.Toronto was one of several NHL teams that had hot streaks interrupted by the NHLs Olympic break. The Maple Leafs had won five of six right before the hiatus and the club is 11-2-1 over its last 14 games.With 70 points, the Maple Leafs are currently holding on to the seventh of eight playoff spots in the East. Toronto also is just one point in back of both Tampa Bay and Montreal for second place in the Atlantic Division. The top three teams in each division get an automatic bid to the postseason.Toronto is aiming to qualify for the postseason for the second straight spring. Last season the Leafs halted the longest playoff drought in franchise history by making the postseason for the first time since 2004.The Maple Leafs emerge from the break with a road-heavy schedule ahead of them over the next few weeks. Toronto, which is just 11-12-5 as the away club this season, will play two straight and eight of its next 10 on the road.The Islanders, meanwhile, get to continue a five-game homestand on Thursday, but theyll do so without the services of captain and star centerman Tavares.Tavares helped Team Canada win the Olympic tournament, although he missed the semifinals and gold medal game after suffering a partial tear in the MCL of his left knee.dddddddddddd Although the injury was originally feared to be worse, it will still keep Tavares sidelined for the remainder of the regular season. However, he will not need surgery as was originally believed.The culmination of the regular season could mark the end of the 2013-14 campaign for the Islanders, who are already 14 points out of the Easts final playoff berth.Tavares, who expects to miss 8-to-12 weeks while recovering, is New Yorks leading scorer with 66 points and is tied for the team lead with 24 goals. He is also third in the NHL in points.The Islanders lost seven of eight games before the break in a stretch that did serious damage to the clubs postseason chances. Without Tavares, the club expects to have a difficult time getting back into the thick of the playoff race.New York and the Leafs have split two meetings so far in 2013-14, but the Isles are 4-1-1 over the last six encounters between the clubs. Toronto, however, has won three straight and four of the past five games at the Coliseum.The Isles are 8-14-8 as the host team this season. The club is playing the third test of its five-game homestand tonight and will complete the stay on Long Island after welcoming New Jersey and Florida on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. ' ' '