Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says Theo Walcott showed mental strength in the way he recovered from injury.
The England international made a successful return for the Gunners' Under-21 team last week but the Frenchman revealed that the 25-year-old had to be mentally strong during the spell on the sidelines.
"He [Theo Walcott] had a very difficult time," Wenger said during Friday's press conference.
"He's a very polite and social guy, but behind that, he's mentally strong as well.
"For what he has gone through in the last nine months, you gain even more respect for him, because he had some difficult times and always responded very positively.
"He's got a young baby, where they had some problems, but he has done extremely well."
Midfielder Abou Diaby is expected to be available in the first week of November and Wenger says he will take him in consideration for a place in midfield.
"He [Abou Diaby] is not in the squad because he has a small calf problem.
"He has little injuries at the moment, never anything bad, but he has been out for such a long time that when he plays it takes him a long time to recover.
"It's much worse for Abou because Theo has not gone through so many injuries. You wonder where Abou gets the strength back to come back and work harder and harder and harder.
"When you come in in the morning he's already in the gym to prepare.
"He has done extremely well - you cannot fault his attitude at all. You can only admire him for that.
"He is always in my mind. His first injury at Sunderland in the last minute - that was a huge blow in his career.
"I cannot give you any date [on Laurent Koscielny]. I hope he will be available after the next international break."
