Arsenal could be forced to enter the January transfer market due to Danny Welbeck’s serious ankle injury, admits the club’s head of football Raul Sanllehi.
Welbeck suffered an injury during his side goalless draw against Sporting Lisbon in Europa League match and has since then undergone two operations. Sanllehi has revealed the club could be active in January in a bid to fill the void for the injured ace but insists Welbeck will get ‘all the support’ required to make a successful comeback.
Arsenal boss Unai Emery said he would give youngster Eddie Nketiah a chance to fill the void left by Welbeck, something Sanllehi agreed but he has not ruled out bringing a player in a new player in January.
“We are very sad for Danny and he knows he has all the support from the club. Yes, that [the injury] makes you consider things,” said Sanllehi.
“I am not saying that is a green light to go to the market. We have good players in the house also that may get further opportunities, like Eddie Nketiah for example. We need to see.”
“We are in November so it is a good time to start analyzing what options we have in the market. We are not closing the door but it is still not the preferred one. The plans were made in the summer. We are happy with how things are going.”
“We are always going to strive to be the best team we can be. If there is a very good opportunity we are definitely going to consider. We will see. Danny Welbeck’s injury alters, in a way, the views,” added the former Barcelona’s director of football.
Welbeck’s contract with the north London club will run out at the end of the season but Sanlehii suggested that he will be allowed to continue his recovery at the club, should he require treatment beyond the expiry of his current deal.
Should Arsenal splash for another attacker?