Arsenal injury news: Danny Welbeck admits recovery from knee issue is going slowly

Long-term Arsenal injury room resident Danny Welbeck has described his recovery as "slow but steady". The former Manchester United striker admitted he has struggled with an extend spell on the sidelines but promises to come back stronger to help The Gunners in the second part of the campaign.

The 24-year-old England international suffered a knee problem in April last season, missing the final five games of the Premier League campaign, as well as the FA Cup final victory over Aston Villa, the game he was originally scheduled to return for. Welbeck struggled with the problem throughout summer before Arsene Wenger revealed he was expected back for the Emirates Cup in July.

The striker didn't make a comeback in the pre-season tournament, and then in September the club revealed he had been forced to undergo surgery due to his rehabilitation work not progressing as expected.

Welbeck is yet to play a game this term and in October said to the National that he expected to return around the start of 2016, over eight months after first sustaining the injury.

The hitman has spoken more about his ongoing recovery, but refused to give a specific target for his comeback.

"It's slow and steady but it's coming along," Welbeck told Arsenal Player. "It's difficult to see the lads when you're still in the gym, doing double days, but once I get back out on the pitch and start running I will be much happier. It's a difficult period for me but I'm looking forward to coming back strong.

"I want to get back out on the pitch, keep on improving, keep training and keep fit – that's the main thing. I just want to get back to playing football. I'm trying to build to muscle and it's hard, but it's something that I've grasped with two hands and I'm really looking forward to my return."