May 15, 2015 11:20:00 UK
Danny Welbeck will not have the chance to haunt Manchester United for a second time this season after the England striker was ruled out of Arsenal’s trip to Old Trafford.
Welbeck was deemed surplus to requirements by Louis van Gaal when the Dutchman took over last summer before he made a deadline day move to the Emirates.
The frontman made a bright start to life in North London but has been forced to play second fiddle to Olivier Giroud recently.
He did however score the winning goal when Arsenal dumped United out of the FA Cup at Old Trafford in March.
I would love to have him available but we will have to do without him.
Arsene Wenger
Wenger has confirmed that Welbeck will not be travelling to Manchester for Sunday’s game, although he feels midfielder Aaron Ramsey will be fit.
“Welbeck is short of fitness,” Wenger said. “I would love to have him available but we will have to do without him. Aaron Ramsey will be alright. He’s short a fraction, too, but not far away.”
Arsenal are 2.90 to win at Old Trafford for the second time this season, with United 2.55 and the draw 3.50.
Wenger knows that victory on Sunday would help ensure his team avoid an early hurdle in the Champions League qualifiers at the start of next season.
“Mathematically, we can put a distance between them and us in the top-four and basically secure top-three,” he said.
The Frenchman is also keen to make a statement with the FA Cup Final against Aston Villa coming up.
“As well there is a symbolic statement because we want to win the FA Cup and psychologically winning this weekend and securing third would be very important for this,” he added.
Arsenal are 12.00 to repeat their 2-1 FA Cup success at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.
Don’t forget, all Premier League matches are covered by the bet365 Euro Soccer Bonus, where you could earn a bonus of up to 100% on your returns on pre-match accumulator bets. T & Cs apply.
View all Soccer betting
