Danny Welbeck set to miss Arsenal’s FA Cup fifth round clash with Sutton United, as he lined up for Under-23s loss
Gunners forward missed training ahead of Monday night's game to travel to Leicester for their 2-1 PL2 defeat on Sunday
DANNY WELBECK looks set to miss out on Arsenal's FA Cup fifth round tie with minnows Sutton United, after playing for the Under-23s on Sunday.
The England forward, 26, has made an encouraging return to Arsene Wenger's squad since a nine-month injury lay-off.
Having played six times - including both FA Cup games - in 2017, many expected Welbeck to lead the line against the minnows, having scored twice in the 5-0 hammering of Southampton in the last round.
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Unfortunately, not only did Welbeck therefore miss Sunday morning's first-team training session and more than likely the Sutton game, the Under-23s even lost 2-1 in Leicester.
Goals from Elliott Moore and Layton Ndukwu put the hosts 2-0 up, before Ben Sheaf stole a late consolation.
However, after the game, Welbeck suggested he is happy to miss the game with Sutton... due to their plastic pitch.
He tweeted: "Glad to get 70 minutes today to build up my match fitness.
"Plastic pitch at Sutton isn't the best idea at the moment."
Wenger will hope the decision to rest Welbeck doesn't backfire, as another defeat in a make or break fixture could all but end his 21-year tenure in north London.
Following heavy defeats to Chelsea and Bayern Munich in the Premier League and Champions League respectively, the Gunners all but waved goodbye to their chances of silverware in those tournaments.
With so much at stake in the FA Cup now, Wenger will know his troops need to put on a show.
