According to The Guardian today, Arsenal may have to face Manchester City without ex-Manchester United striker, Danny Welbeck.

The pacey striker is a major doubt for the game due to a persistent thigh injury, with The Guardian reporting:

 "He (Arsene Wenger) has a selection doubt over Danny Welbeck.”

The paper also claims that the player is still injured but may be fit for the FA Cup fourth round tie against Brighton & Hove Albion.

"The striker has missed the past three matches with thigh trouble but if he does not make the trip to City he should be available for the FA Cup tie at Brighton & Hove Albion on 25 January."

Welbeck has been out for some time now with a strained quadriceps and it seems as though Wenger does not want to rush him back and is allowing him to fully recover before putting him into the side.

Is this a blow for the Gunners? Not majorly. The Gunners have been on good form in the last few weeks, with the club losing only one of the last six Premier League games, with players like Rosicky and Coquelin coming into the squad. Arsenal also have Ozil and Walcott being nursed to full fitness. Sanchez is still on fire and Arsenal’s pace and tempo has seemed to be good over the last couple of games.

The balance in the squad, especially upfront, seems okay so Welbeck missing out this game isn’t a major loss.

My guess will be Wenger is planning more defensively going into this match anyway. If the Gunners show another week performance in defence, it won’t be long until City put three or four into our net on Sunday.