Veteran Welbeck handed surprising Arsenal lifeline

Danny Welbeck may still have a future at Arsenal despite his current contract expiring this summer, manager Unai Emery has revealed.

In an interview with PA Sport, Emery surprisingly confirmed that the Gunners are considering tabling a new deal for the striker. The 28-year-old has been on the sidelines for four months recovering from a broken ankle, and had widely been expected to move on from the Emirates at the end of the season.

However, Arsenal may now look to retain Welbeck’s services, with Emery suggesting that the England forward’s experience with the national side could prove to be invaluable for his teammates – and especially young homegrown talent. “Every [Premier League] team needs English players,” he said. “We have a lot of players with the possibility to grow up with us and be part of our future, and also with the national team.”

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The Spaniard also confirmed that Welbeck was “progressing very well” in terms of his rehabilitation from the devastating injury sustained against Sporting Lisbon, although he stressed that the striker is unlikely to feature again this term. “Maybe the doctor will tell us he can come train with us in the last weeks of this season,” he added.

The Manchester-born forward has consistently struggled with injury since signing for the Gunners in 2014 from hometown team Man United, with a stop-start Arsenal career as a result. Welbeck’s 2017/18 season, in particular, was largely indifferent despite seeing him largely return to full fitness, and there have been renewed calls for Arsenal to call time on the 42-times-capped England striker’s career at the Emirates when his contract runs out.

Emery, however, refused to close the book on Welbeck just yet. “After [he returns from injury], his individual thing is to speak with the club about his future,” he insisted.

Featured image credit: “Danny Welbeck” (CC BY 2.0) by Ronnie Macdonald