Arsenal injury news: Arsene Wenger confirms Danny Welbeck has not completely recovered from knee problem

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes that Danny Welbeck's return from injury has given the Gunners a lot of options in attack as the former Manchester United man can play across the front three. The Frenchman revealed that he can use Welbeck in place of or alongside Olivier Giroud, something which they have missed for nine months when the striker was out with a knee injury.

Wenger revealed that they have to be cautious with Welbeck, who has still not recovered completely from his knee problem and was risked against Everton as he did not have a choice.

Arsenal managed their first win in four fixtures in the Premier League against Everton. They have taken only one point from their last three matches. Welbeck and Alexis Sanchez combined for the first goal while Alex Iwobi scored his first Arsenal international in his first full debut for the Gunners in the Premier League.

Welbeck was chosen ahead of Olivier Giroud, who is going through a rough period at the moment and the former Manchester United man vindicated the manager's decision by scoring within the opening 10 minutes.

The Gunners are currently 11 points behind league leaders Leicester City, having played a game less and need to win their remaining eight games to give themselves a semblance of a chance to get back in the race. The north London club have a number of injury concerns and Wenger will be desperate to get his players back as soon as possible, with Santi Cazorla, Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere still sometime away from full recovery.

"He can play on the flanks and through the middle, so I can play him with Giroud or [instead of] Giroud - that gives so many options," the manager told Arsenal's official website, when asked about the importance of Welbeck "You cannot say you don't miss a player of that stature for nine months.

"I believe [he can make a difference]. I had many hesitations to play him before the game because he is still not completely over his knee problem.

"We have to be cautious but I pushed it because I knew this was now or never [for the title bid].

"I know this team has put in a lot of work since the start of the season, I know how much dedication this team has had over the last eight months and I want them to be rewarded.

"We have gone through a difficult period and it is a good test to see how a team survives after getting so much stick. When I see their response every day, this team deserves credit."

Arsenal managerArseneWengerbelieves that DannyWelbeck's return from injury has given the Gunners a lot of options in attack as the former Manchester United man can play across the front three. The Frenchman revealed that he can useWelbeckin place of or alongside OlivierGiroud, something which they have missed for nine months when the striker was out with a knee injury.

Wengerrevealed that they have to be cautious withWelbeck, who has still not recovered completelyfrom his knee problemand was risked againstEvertonas he did not have a choice.

Arsenal managed their first win in four fixtures in the Premier League againstEverton. They have taken only one point from their last three matches.Welbeckand Alexis Sanchez combined for the first goal while AlexIwobiscored his first Arsenal international in his first full debut for the Gunners in the Premier League.

Welbeckwas chosen ahead of OlivierGiroud, who is going through a rough period at the moment and the former Manchester United man vindicated the manager's decision by scoring within the opening 10 minutes.

The Gunners are currently 11 points behind league leaders Leicester City, having played a game less and need to win their remaining eight games to give themselves a semblance of a chance to get back in the race. The north London club have a number of injury concerns andWengerwill be desperate to get his players back as soon as possible, withSantiCazorla, Aaron Ramsey and JackWilsherestill sometime away from full recovery.

"He can play on the flanks and through the middle, so I can play him withGiroudor [instead of]Giroud- that gives so many options," the managertold Arsenal's official website, when asked about the importance ofWelbeck"You cannot say you don't miss a player of that stature for nine months.

"I believe [he can make a difference]. I had many hesitations to play him before the game because he is still not completely over his knee problem.

"We have to be cautious but I pushed it because I knew this was now or never [for the title bid].

"I know this team has put in a lot of work since the start of the season, I know how much dedication this team has had over the last eight months and I want them to be rewarded.

"We have gone through a difficult period and it is a good test to see how a team survives after getting so much stick. When I see their response every day, this team deserves credit."