Danny Welbeck is the top scorer in European qualifying... but only has eight goals for Arsenal

Welbeck has six goals in five for England but just eight for Arsenal all season

Welbeck has been sent back to Arsenal with a knee injury (Getty Images)

Danny Welbeck has been in lethal form for England during qualification for Euro 2016, scoring six goals in just five matches in Group E.

That mark is more than any other player in Europe, with Northern Ireland's Kyle Lafferty and Germany's Thomas Muller second with five goals.

The former Manchester United striker has a very good record for England, with 12 goals in 31 games since he made his debut in 2011. He scored twice in the crucial win against Switzerland, twice against Slovenia and once each against San Marino and Lithuania.

In contrast Welbeck has scored just eight goals in 30 matches for Arsenal, with three of those coming in a single win against Galatasaray, and although he has impressed at times he has been criticised for his poor finishing.

The standard of England's opposition goes some way to explain it, with the Three Lions playing against a worse teams than Arsenal generally do in the Premier League.

Switzerland (12th) are the only other team in the top 50 in the Fifa World Rankings and England have dominated in their group so far, winning all five matches, scoring 15 goals and conceding just one along the way.

While Arsenal have not enjoyed quite the same level of dominance, they are third in the top flight, with only Chelsea and Manchester City scoring more goals than the 58 they have tallied in 30 matches this season.

Welbeck only has eight goals in 30 matches for Arsenal this season (GETTY IMAGES)

Welbeck has added three assists to his tally but Giroud (17 goals) and Alexis Sanchez (18) have been much more effective in front of goal.

The 24-year-old has played all across the front three for Arsenal but did have an extended spell as the central striker when Olivier Giroud was injured, it's only since the Frenchman returned that he has moved more to the wing.

For England it has been a similar story, playing either as a central striker or a winger, like he did against Lithuania, depending on the game.

In general he has looked a lot more confident playing in the white of England than the red of Arsenal.

Welbeck is out of the friendly with Italy on Tuesday, but Arsene Wenger and Arsenal supporters will be hoping he is back fit in time to face Liverpool on Sunday.