Danny Welbeck will not be returning to action next week as had been planned.

Instead, the forward, who is struggling with a thigh problem that has kept him sidelined since Boxing Day is pencilled in for a return against Tottenham on Saturday 7th February.

Speaking before Arsenal’s game against Manchester City, Arsene Wenger had said that the Englishman would be out for another two weeks but he told the assembled media at his Thursday press conference

Danny is still out. I think he will need two more games to be back again. He’s not in full training yet.

With Arsenal letting Yaya Sanogo and Lukas Podolski leave on loan and the games about to start doubling up once we hit February, his return will be most welcome as it means that the boss is given one more option that enables him to rotate his squad and keep players fresh.

Olivier Giroud is likely to start against Brighton on Sunday and he has great memories of his last appearance at the Amex – netting twice as Arsenal won 3-2 although Wenger hinted that Akpom could also get the nod.