Arsenal striker Danny Welbeck "ahead of schedule" in return from knee injury

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has claimed that Danny Welbeck's return from a knee injury is "ahead of schedule".

The 25-year-old has been on the treatment table since May after he suffered cartilage damage during a clash against Manchester City.

After undergoing surgery in May, Welbeck was given a nine-month layoff, but Wenger has claimed that the striker has stepped up his recovery.

"He's ahead of schedule and he'll be back in January," Wenger said in Friday's press conference. "It will take two months' competition for him to get back to his best."

Welbeck suffered the blow just three months after returning to action from a 10-month spell on the sidelines with a different knee issue.