Arsenal
Danny Welbeck: Injury to cut short his Arsenal career as Emry finds replacement
Arsenal are reportedly looking at the prospect of replacing England international Danny Welbeck, who picked up a seven-month injury earlier in the month.
The 27-year-old has failed to reach his full potential at the Emirates Stadium as injury and lack of game time have prevented him from being the player many thought he would become.
Welbeck’s time under Arsene Wenger, former Arsenal manager, was one to forget as he couldn’t get many minutes under his belt.
The situation seems to turn around for the player when Unai Emery takes over from the Frenchman before the start of the 2018-19 season. The former PSG manager showed some trust in the former Sunderland star by giving him more chance to prove himself.
Though Welbeck didn’t start most of the matches he played for the team, he constantly features from the substitute bench. The England international continued to show his new boss the reasons why he should be starting more games as he was lively and impressive in almost all the matches he played for the team before the unfortunate injury.
As it looks like the player is close to breaking into Emery’s first XI, he was injured in a Europa League clash when he fell on his ankle.
Two days after his injury, the Gunners medical team revealed the player will be sidelined for seven months, meaning he will play no further part for the rest of the season.
Unluckily, Welbeck’s contract with the Gunners would come to an end by the end of this season and the club are showing no sign of extending the deal.
Has Welbeck come to the end of his Arsenal career?
When asked by reporters if the club are seeking for the Welbeck’s replacement, Arsenal’s head of football Raul Sanllehi confirmed that the team are considering a move for his replacement.
Sanllehi further reiterated that Unai Emery will decide whether to sign a new player or turn to youngster Eddie Nketiah as a replacement.
Report are also claiming that Unai Emery has identified Lille’s in-form striker Nicholas Pepe as his long-term replacement.
The Ivorian is in fine form for his Ligue 1 club and he will definitely be a perfect addition to the Gunners team in the second period of the season.
In 13 Ligue 1 matches, Pepe has scored eight matches, making him one of the leading goalscorers in the French League.
If reports linking him to Emirates Stadium are anything to go by, then it is obvious Welbeck’s time at the Emirates Stadium is as good as over.
Unlike the England international, Nicholas will bring intense and constant competition to the team’s frontline as he would be actively used by Emery and there will be less concern about his fitness level.
Since his move to Arsenal from Manchester United in 2014, the 27-year-old has scored 32 goals in 126 appearances in all competitions
