Arsenal striker Danny Welbeck to replace injured Alexandre Lacazette against Manchester United

Danny Welbeck appears destined to replace Alexandre Lacazette in the Arsenal side to face Manchester United despite Olivier Giroud netting twice in the victory over Huddersfield Town, reports suggest.

Lacazette netted the opener for the Gunners against the newly-promoted Terriers – his seventh goal since his summer move from Lyon – but is out of the visit of Jose Mourinho's side after being withdrawn at half-time with a groin problem.

The France international was replaced by fellow countryman Giroud, who netted twice after coming on to complete a 5-0 thrashing of Huddersfield as Arsenal extended their winning run at the Emirates Stadium in the Premier League to 12 games.

Only Lacazette has netted more goals for Arsenal this season than Giroud, yet he is still to make a start in the top flight this season. That run is set to continue this weekend. The Daily Telegraph reports that Welbeck will be given the nod against former club United for the tea-time kick-off in north London.

"We have offensive weapons," said Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger. "We have Welbeck, we have Giroud, we have [Jack] Wilshere who all came on. They are all offensive players. I will see what I do for Saturday but ideally you wanted Lacazette there."

England forward Welbeck has netted just three times this season but has made six starts in the Premier League, including in the 4-0 defeat to Liverpool when he began ahead of Lacazette and the 0-0 draw with Chelsea in September.

Wenger could also be without Alexis Sanchez for the visit of United after the Chile international was replaced in the second half against Huddersfield with a hamstring injury. Wenger will wait until just hours before the game to decide whether to risk Sanchez.

The North Londoners have a relatively manageable schedule coming up with a dead rubber in the Europa League against Bate Borisov at the Emirates followed by a trip to Southampton next Sunday, and could therefore risk Sanchez in a game which could lift them up to third in the table.

Santi Cazorla is the only guaranteed absentee for Arsenal, after the Spaniard suffered another setback in his recovery from an Achilles problem.

However, opponents United have a lengthy injury list. Nemanja Matic was taken off with a muscle injury against Watford on Tuesday while Marouane Fellaini missed the game with a knock. Phil Jones, Eric Bailly and Michael Carrick are all expected to remain sidelined.