Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Danny Welbeck will not return until February at the earliest as he continues to recover from a serious knee injury.
The 25-year-old forward has been out of action since suffering the setback at the end of last season but had been expected to return to contention in the new year.
"Unfortunately he was injured at the end of April and we are now at the end of December and he is still not available because of a bone bruising. That deteriorated and it is a big blow to us," Wenger told reporters. "Especially now we cannot rotate."
The Gunners' lengthy injury list also includes Alexis Sanchez and Theo Walcott, leaving Wenger short of attacking options up front, although he revealed that midfielder Jack Wilshere's recovery was marginally ahead of schedule and he could return in late January.
Despite their injury woes, Arsenal sit second in the Premier League table, five points off leaders Leicester City but with a game in hand.
Neil Wilkes
