Arsenal transfer news: Danny Welbeck injury may force club to spend in January window, admit chiefs

Head of football Raul Sanllehi has said the club are always looking to strengthen

Arsenal’s head of football Raúl Sanllehí has admitted that the club may be forced into entering the January transfer market, with injured Danny Welbeck set for a significant spell on the sidelines.

Welbeck has undergone two operations on his ankle after suffering a serious injury in Arsenal’s goalless Europa League draw with Sporting CP, earlier this month.

Shortly after his promotion in the summer Sanllehí said that “normally I am not a strong fan of the winter window,” however the Spaniard has confirmed that Welbeck’s injury could see the club alter their strategy.

“This is absolutely something unplanned,” Sanllehí told The Independent. “We are sad for Danny and he knows he has all the support from the club. Yes, that makes you consider things.

“I am not saying that is a green light to go to the market because we have some very good players who may now get further opportunities, such as Eddie Nketiah. So we need to see. We are in November so it is a good time to start analysing what options we have in the market.

“We are not closing the door but it is still not the preferred one. We are always going to strive to be the best team we can be and if there is a very good opportunity then we are definitely going to consider it. We will see. Danny’s injury alters, in a way, the views.”

No timeframe has yet been set for the England international’s return, although the 27-year-old is in danger of missing the rest of the season.

Welbeck’s contract expires in the summer at which point he will be able to leave the club on a free transfer, along with Aaron Ramsey and Petr Cech.

But Arsenal’s managing director, Vinai Venkatesham, has pledged that the club will support the forward through his recovery.

“I think the focus on Danny at the moment, it's an unbelievably unfortunate injury in so many ways,” he said.

The forward has undergone two ankle operations (Arsenal FC via Getty)

“You think about how he actually got the injury. You think about the misfortune he has had with injuries going back. And I know this shouldn't count, but he is just such a great guy. He is someone we love having around the dressing room and the club.

“So, our focus is doing what we can with Danny to get him back fit as quickly as possible. That is the 100 per cent focus. This is pretty fresh this injury. He is only just out of having his operation. That is the focus, that is the responsible thing to do: how do we get him back, playing football and training?”