Unai Emery has surprisingly stated that Danny Welbeck could be offered a new contract to keep him at Arsenal. a3l15

The Gunners were reportedly keen to let go of a number of players in order to raise much needed funds. Emery is eyeing reinforcements in the summer to strengthen a squad that has struggled with a ridiculous amount of injuries this season. Arsenal have no squad depth whatsoever. New gs are clearly required if the club are to put up a serious challenge for trophies next season.

Several reports suggested that Arsenal were looking to free up their wage bill this summer. It was the reason cited for the withdrawal of the contract extension offered to Aaron Ramsey, who will Juventus in the summer. That does make it all the more surprising that Welbeck could be set to have another contract on the table.

Welbeck has been on the sidelines since November after last ever for the club.

His contract at the Emirates expires in the summer and it looked unlikely that he would receive a new one, especially after his injury. However, Emery has surprisingly stated that there could still be a future for the player at the club.

“He’s progressing very well,” Emery said.

“He is working and starting to touch the ball and to work on the pitch. His progress with such a big injury is going very well.

“It’s difficult for him to play matches this season but he is progressing very well and maybe the doctor will tell us he can come train with us in the last weeks of this season.

“After, his individual thing is to speak with the club [about his future].”

Emery also reiterated the need for English players at Premier League clubs. Every club in the league should fulfill a certain quota related to the number of English players in their squad. With Arsenal having sold a large proportion of their English players to other clubs over the last couple of years, keeping Welbeck might just be a decision based along those lines.

“Every [English] team needs English players.

“Danny has his injury now. He was going with the national team and we were happy for him and the national team.

“[Promising English players] are now in [Arsenal’s] under-18s, under-19s, under-20s and under-21s teams.

“We have a lot of players with the possibility to grow up with us and be part of our future, and also with the national team.”