Quantcast
Home   >   News   >   Arsenal star admits fitness concern ahead of crucial period

Arsenal star admits fitness concern ahead of crucial period

By on March 7, 2016

Arsenal star Danny Welbeck has admitted he’s not back to his best yet and found the pace against Tottenham ‘difficult’ after recently returning from a long-term injury.

Welbeck made his first team comeback three weeks ago after spending over 10 months on the sidelines with a niggling knee injury which he first picked up way back in April 2015.

The 25-year-old made an instant impact on his Premier League return having come off the bench to score a dramatic last gasp winner over leaders Leicester City last month while he’s also looked sharp in recent appearances against the likes of Man Utd and Spurs.

However, Welbeck says he’s nowhere near back to full fitness yet and admitted he found it difficult to keep up with the high intensity pace of the game against Tottenham at the weekend.

He told the Mirror.

“Yes, it is difficult being out for so long and coming straight back in to the team.

“With the intensity (at Tottenham) I found it quite difficult but I try and give my best every single game and see how it goes.

” No (I don’t feel sharp yet), it is going to take a while I think. I don’t feel as sharp as I did before my operation and I don’t know how long it will take but I’m getting fitter and stronger each week.

“It is obviously difficult watching from the sidelines and being at home and not being able to play your part on the pitch.

“You try and do as much as you can off of it, work as hard as you can so once yo do come back you are ready and you get your opportunity on the pitch and to play your part on for the team.”

I personally think Danny has looked extremely sharp considering how long he was on the sidelines for but agree that he’s still got a way to go before he’s 100% match fit.

One thing’s for sure, he’s going to play an important role during our run in as he offers us something completely different to Olivier Giroud through the middle.

I expect Danny may be rested for tomorrow night’s FA Cup replay against Hull as we then play three huge games against West Brom, Barcelona and Everton, and he’ll have to be fresh for what is going to be a crucial run of games that will define our season.