Arsenal sweat over Danny Welbeck fitness as injury rules him out of Manchester City clash

Arsenal face a nervous wait to learn the extent of Danny Welbeck's injury, which has ruled the forward out of the club's last three games.

Speaking via the club's official website on Thursday 15 January, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger confirmed the former Manchester United striker is not available for the clash at the Eithad Stadium with Manchester City on 18 January.

The club are yet to pencil in a return date for Welbeck, who is still feeling some pain from the thigh problem he suffered during the festive period.

"Danny Welbeck is not ready yet, he is still feeling some pain, so we will have to be patient," the Gunners boss said.

Welbeck scored in his last appearance for Arsenal, in their 2-1 win over West Ham United on 28 December, to take his tally to 12 for the season.

Arsenal revealed further blows on Thursday, with both Mathieu Debuchy and captain Mikel Arteta faced with three month spells on the sidelines.

Arteta, who has beset with problems for much of the campaign, has undergone ankle surgery having not played since the end of November, while Debuchy has gone under the knife for the second time this season after dislocating his shoulder in the 3-0 win over Stoke City on Sunday 11 January.

They join Jack Wilshere on the sidelines, who is not expected to return to mid-February after also undergoing surgery on his ankle following a challenge from Manchester United's Paddy McNair in November. Meanwhile, Abou Diaby also remains a long-term absentee.

But Wenger did have good news regarding left-back Kieran Gibbs, who has been unavailable after suffering a hip problem.

He said: "Gibbs will be training again with the squad on Friday and we will see how he goes from there. His news is positive."