Danny Welbeck out for a 'period of months' after undergoing surgery, questions over lack of Arsenal transfer activity set to increase

Injury will magnify Arsenal's failure to sign a new striker during the transfer window

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Arsenal have announced that Danny Welbeck has undergone surgery and will miss a "period of months".

The injury to one of the Gunners' leading strikers, who it had been hoped would soon be returning to action, will lead to more questions about the club's failure to sign any new forwards during the transfer window.

It leaves the club with only Olivier Giroud and Joel Campbell as recognised centre-forwards, however Alexis Sanchez, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott can play in the role.

Intriguingly, the decision was made last week, which means Arsene Wenger would have been aware of the issue when he still had time to sign new players. Ultimately, the only major arrival over the summer was goalkeeper Petr Cech.

In a statement, the Gunners explained: "Welbeck has undergone surgery on his left knee after being unable to sufficiently step up his rehabilitation work.

"The striker has been working throughout the summer to recover from the injury sustained at the end of April.

"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.

"Danny is now expected to be out for a period of months and everyone at Arsenal wishes him well."

Arsenal's next game is at home to Stoke City.