Quantcast
Home   >   News   >   Arsenal boss confirms forgotten man could feature against Preston

Arsenal boss confirms forgotten man could feature against Preston

By on January 5, 2017

Danny Welbeck

Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Danny Welbeck could be in line to make his long-awaited comeback from injury against Preston North End this weekend.

Welbeck has been working his way back to fitness after suffering cartilage damage in his right knee during our clash with Manchester City back in May of last season.

The forward returned to full training last month and Wenger had initially planned to give him a run-out with the under-23’s before bringing him back in to the first team fold.

However, with Lucas Perez a doubt for Saturday’s trip to Deepdale with an ankle injury, the boss has admitted he could now hand Welbeck a place in the squad for our FA Cup third round clash.

Although understandably, a place on the bench is the best the former Manchester United forward can hope for.

Wenger told Arsenal.com:

on Welbeck…
I haven’t decided yet, but he could be [in line to play at Preston] – it depends on Lucas a little bit, it also depends on how he feels. Physically his fitness is at quite a good level, but of course the ideal way is to give him two or three games with the under-23s. But the situation is not always ideal, sometimes you have to hurry up.

on Welbeck’s recovery…
He wants to play. But Danny is as well conscious [of taking his time]. He came back after a long injury and had a setback so he suffered a lot. At the moment, I think he listens well to what people advise him to do, even if he is naturally impatient. After you’ve been out for such a long time you do not want a setback.

on whether it’s more likely we will see Welbeck on the bench at Preston…
Yes, of course. He will not start the game.

It will be a great sight to see Welbeck back in the squad as he’s endured a torrid time with injury since joining the club and I really hope he can put all that behind him and go on to have a huge career at the Emirates.

I think we’ve sorely missed him as Danny is a versatile attacker who gives us options, pace and goals in the final third so fingers crossed he can make a real difference during the second half of the season.