Arsenal attacker Danny Welbeck has explained why he played for the club’s Under-23 side this weekend as opposed to their senior side.
Balotelli heading for the scrapheap
The forward hit the headlines when it was revealed that he would not feature in the FA Cup encounter against Sutton United on Monday, but he has revealed there was a simple reason behind manager Arsene Wenger’s thinking.
Welbeck has spent much of the season on the sidelines, playing only 114 minutes of action, and after just coming back from a knee problem, it was considered that it would be unwise to risk him on an artificial field.
“Glad to get 70 minutes today to build up my match fitness. Plastic pitch at Sutton isn’t the best idea at the moment,” he tweeted.
The England striker played a starring role in the previous round of the cup, scoring two and laying on another as Arsenal swept past Southampton 5-0.
Despite the presence of Welbeck the Gunners’ youngsters went down 2-1 away to Leicester City, with their goal scored in the 89th minute by central midfielder Ben Sheaf.