Arsenal's Danny Welbeck undergoes knee surgery

Arsenal have confirmed that striker Danny Welbeck will spend a lengthy time on the sidelines following a knee surgery.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger had earlier stated that the 24-year-old would resume first-team action after the international break.

However, it is now understood that the young forward has undergone a surgery to his knee after he was unable to step up his rehabilitation work to the required level.

"It had been hoped he would avoid surgery but after increasing his training workload, the injury to his cartilage did not respond as well as hoped and the decision was taken last week for him to undergo surgery by a leading specialist in the field. Danny is now expected to be out for a period of months and everyone at Arsenal wishes him well." read a statement on the club's official website.

The England international joined the Gunners from Manchester United for £16m last summer.