Don't expect Danny Welbeck to suit up for Arsenal anytime soon as the English striker underwent surgery on his left knee and won't make a comeback for a few months. While his initial recovery plan had the goal to have him ready by September 26, the recovery process stalled and surgery became the only option moving forward.
Arsenal last saw him on the pitch against Chelsea in a scoreless draw at the end of April. The injury made him miss the FA Cup final as well as many international games with England. The bruising around his knee has not stopped so Arsenal decided to do something that was not in their plans months ago.
"It had been hoped he would avoid surgery but after increasing his training workload, the injury to his cartilage did not respond as well as hoped and the decision was taken last week for him to undergo surgery by a leading specialist in the field," Arsenal claimed in a statement released this Thursday.
Arsenal With and Without Welbeck
Last season, Welbeck played in 27 Premier League games and scored four goals with five assists under his name. In the Champions League he scored three goals in six games. Arsene Wenger used him in three games during the FA Cup and Welbeck scored once. He played a total of 2,502 minutes before getting injured.
Arsenal is currently sitting in seventh place this season. The London-based team has won two games, tied one and lost one so far. They have only scored three games and received the same amount. They are five points behind Manchester City that has 12 points after a perfect start to the Premier League season.
Welbeck-less Future for Arsenal
Arsenal has not set a specific date for the return of Welbeck this time around. The English striker will miss a series of games with both his club and his national team from now till the end of the year. It will all begin with the game between Arsenal and Stoke City. It also includes the Champions League games against Dinamo Zagreb, Olympiakos and Bayern Munich. His comeback could be scheduled for December or early January.
More Bad News Gunners
Welbeck's unclear future just adds to a series of bad news that Arsenal has received this past summer. They failed to get Karim Benzema from Real Madrid. Later in the summer they tried to sign Cavani but the deal did not go through. Arsenal closed the transfer market period without any big signing. Now most of the hopes of what Arsenal can do this season lie on Alexis Sanchez who has been motivated by winning the Copa America with Chile over the summer.
Obviously Twitter users reacted to the news
Arsenal fans react to the news that Danny Welbeck is out for 4 months and they still didn't sign anyone! pic.twitter.com/D1xVbXtTqM
— Football Funnys (@FootballFunnys) September 3, 2015
The club knew last week that Welbeck would be out for 'a number of months' after surgery. And we still didn't buy. Pathetic.
— Arsenal News (@__arsenalnews_) September 3, 2015
Welbeck expected to return in a few months. A great relief for the club, gives #Arsenal the perfect excuse not to buy a striker in January.
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) September 3, 2015
Gutted for Welbeck. And amused by the timing of Arsenal's announcement.
— gunnerblog (@gunnerblog) September 3, 2015
Welbeck got his injury in April, all summer Arsenal thought he wouldn't need an operation, but he does and he's out for months. Shocking.
— talkSPORTDrive (@talkSPORTDrive) September 3, 2015
The transfer window is shut & Welbeck is now out injured for several months. Gunners fans right now. pic.twitter.com/MGf3oaUptQ
— TheFootballRepublic (@TheFootballRep) September 3, 2015
#Arsenal fans when they hear Danny Welbeck is out for months and they didn't buy a striker... https://t.co/y5SBzuToFy
— Copa90 (@Copa90) September 3, 2015
After the news about Welbeck, no signing in the window,other strikers go out on loan. AW must be doing a lot of this pic.twitter.com/9ENwXleZeh
— GöönerGössip (@GoonerGossip) September 3, 2015