Arsenal star Danny Welbeck is set to miss the start of the season due to a long-term knee injury, reports the Daily Mail.
The 24-year-old missed both the last game of the Premier League campaign and the final of the FA Cup with the problem at the backend of last season. He was also unavailable for England’s games against the Republic of Ireland and Slovenia this summer.
“Welbeck is not in full training yet, he has not fully recovered,”, said Wenger of the forward, “He is supposed to start to go outside and run again this weekend and from now on, if that is positive in the next three weeks he will be available.
“He will be short for the start of the season in two weeks, but three weeks should be all right.”
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The knee issue will now hinder the Gunners’ attempts to get off to a quick start next time round, leaving Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott as their only options up front. Last season the North London side endured a tough start, and were unable to recover enough to challenge for the Premier League title.
This could make Arsene Wenger step up his efforts to sign a new striker. He has been linked with a move for Real Madrid star Karim Benzema recently [Daily Mail], and the Frenchman would be a major coup if brought to the Emirates Stadium.