THEO Walcott's hopes of marking his return from nine months out through injury with a victory were dashed as Blackburn Rovers produced an excellent performance to draw their U21s Premier League clash with Arsenal 0-0 in Borehamwood tonight.

England striker Walcott was joined in the Gunners' starting line-up by France international Abou Diaby and Germany U19s starlet Serge Gnabry. 

But they could find no way through a more inexperienced Rovers side, featuring the fit-again Devarn Green, and who had the better chances of the first half through Darragh Lenihan and Hyuga Tanner, who forced Ryan Huddart into saves.

It was Huddart's opposite number, Ryan Crump, who was the busier goalkeeper after the break but only after Modou Cham flashed a shot wide.

Crump denied Ainsley Maitland-Niles and the highly rated Daniel Crowley in quick succession before making an ever better stop to turn a well struck free kick from the latter on to the bar.

Walcott played the first half before being substituted.