Danny Welbeck set to return to full Arsenal training next week after seven months out due to knee injury

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Arsenal will welcome Danny Welbeck back to full training next week after seven months on the sidelines.

The striker, whose career has been blighted by injuries over the past two seasons, has almost completed his rehabilitation from knee surgery.

Arsene Wenger revealed the news on Friday, though he stressed that Welbeck still has plenty of work to do to recover full match fitness. 

Danny Welbeck is set to return to Arsenal training next week after seven months out

Welbeck sustained significant cartilage damage in Arsenal's draw at Manchester City in May

'Danny Welbeck is one week away from completing normal training,' Wenger said.

'To be back in the squad; that will take some time because he wasn't played for a long, long time.'

Welbeck spent 10 months out with an injury to his left knee last season, returning in February, before sustaining significant cartilage damage in the 2-2 draw at Manchester City in May.

The former Manchester United man was due to be out of action until the early weeks of next year but is a month ahead of schedule in his recovery. 

Wenger revealed that he expects to take the same squad he had available for Tuesday's defeat at Everton to the Etihad Stadium to face City this Sunday.

Santi Cazorla and Aaron Ramsey remain sidelined, though the latter is set to resume training next week. 

The former Manchester United striker also spent 10 months out leading up to February

'(Ramsey is) the closest to come back,' Wenger said. 'There are some knocks and bruises but they should all be available again. 

The Gunners boss once again shrugged off questions about Alexis Sanchez's future.

The Chilean is holding out for a massive £250,000-per-week contract at the Emirates but Wenger insisted there is no rush to get a deal done. 

'There's no concern, not at all,' he said.

'You waste your time because these players have 18 months on their contract and I don't see why there is any urgency 

'Maybe you lack a bit of creativity in the newspapers and you use the same subject.'

Welbeck will still need plenty of time to regain full match fitness, Arsene Wenger said