Welbeck blow for Arsenal, Wenger unsure of return date

Arsene Wenger has admitted he is no closer to knowing when Arsenal striker Danny Welbeck will be able to return from injury.

The England forward has yet to feature for the Gunners this season after undergoing knee surgery in September.

Welbeck was originally expected to return during the Christmas period but he has since suffered a set-back which has delayed any comeback.

"Unfortunately he was injured at the end of April and we are now at the end of December and he is still not available because of a bone bruising," said Wenger.

"That deteriorated and it is a big blow to us," added Wenger. "Especially now we cannot rotate."

Wenger's attacking options have been limited recently due to the absence of Alexis Sanchez and Theo Walcott.

However, Walcott is now fit again following a five-week lay-off due to a calf injury while Sanchez has an outside chance of facing fellow title contenders Manchester City on Monday after missing three games with a hamstring problem.

Welbeck's latest setback could prove to be a major blow to his hopes of making Roy Hodgson's squad for Euro 2016.

The 25-year-old had been a certainty to be included after scoring six goals in five games during England's qualifying campaign.

However, his extended lay-off coupled with the current form of Leicester's Jamie Vardy and Harry Kane of Tottenham has put his place in Hodgson's squad in jeopardy.