Injured Arsenal ace to leave for nothing in the summer

Arsenal do not plan to offer Danny Welbeck a new contract when his current deal expires at the end of the season, claims The Times.

Welbeck has spent the last four years at Arsenal but has struggled to stay fit for prolonged periods during that time.

The 28-year-old is currently recovering from a broken ankle suffered at the start of last month and is not expected to recover until the end of the season at the earliest.

There is now a good chance Welbeck has already played his final game for Arsenal, as Unai Emery looks to trim the club’s wage bill.

Instead of turning to the transfer market to replace Welbeck next summer, Emery plans to blood through academy graduate Reiss Nelson.

The 18-year-old has impressed on loan at German side Hoffenheim this season and is now part of Emery’s plans going forward at the Emirates.

Arsenal were willing to sell Welbeck in the summer but the England international turned down the chance to leave.

Welbeck has only scored 16 goals in 88 Premier League appearances for Arsenal, while 18-year-old Nelson has already racked up six goals in nine league games for Hoffenheim this season.