Arsene Wenger: 'Danny Welbeck is very important to us'

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has insisted that Danny Welbeck has become a very important player since making his move from Premier League rivals Manchester United.

Welbeck is due to face his former club on Monday night when the two sides square up in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, with Wenger adamant that Welbeck has a great future ahead of him at the Emirates.

"Danny Welbeck is very important to us. He played many, many games since the start of the season. His [best] position is one of the three up front; central, wide, left right, he can play anywhere," said Wenger, according to ESPN.

"If you check the statistics, it is a wrong statement [to say he does not play enough] as he is one of the player who plays the most games for us. You have moments in the season where some players play a bit less. Not every single player can play every game at the start of the season.

"Danny Welbeck is an exceptional football player and he has a great future here. I am very, very happy that I bought him."

The Gunners currently hold third spot in the Premier League standings, one place above Louis van Gaal's United.