It had been hoped that Danny Welbeck would be back in the squad by now.

The forward, who has been out since the game against West Ham on 28th December with a thigh injury, had been rumoured to be undergoing a fitness test ahead of Arsenal’s game against Stoke last weekend.

As we all know, he did not feature in the squad.

Speaking to the media at his press conference on Friday ahead of Sunday’s trip to Manchester, Arsene Wenger revealed

Danny Welbeck is not ready yet, he is still feeling some pain, so we will have to be patient. I think he has two more weeks [before he’s back].

Although sorely missed, his absence has been better dealt with now that Olivier Giroud has returned from his impromptu winter break.

There is still no word on Abou Diaby. Just over two months ago Arsenal denied that the midfielder had suffered a hamstring injury that would keep him out for three months.

He has not been seen since.