Arsene Wenger ready to call on Danny Welbeck?

Arsenal, 7/1 to win the Premier League, could look to land Manchester United forward Danny Welbeck, if their worst fears are confirmed about the fitness of French frontman Olivier Giroud.

Goal hero Giroud appeared to be injured in the final minutes of the Gunners’ 2-2 draw with Everton, after netting his side’s equaliser, and is suspected to have broken his ankle.

Arsene Wenger now faces an anxious wait to see whether his main man will face a significant spell on the sidelines, and may have to dip back into the transfer pool to compensate for his absence.

Giroud was Arsenal’s top scorer last term, hitting home 22 times last term, so Wenger may feel it prudent to add further firepower to his squad. Superstar signing Alexis Sanchez is only just beginning to settle in the Premier League, whilst Theo Walcott is also injured, leaving space for a new attacking acquisition.

Welbeck reportedly wants an Old Trafford exit this summer to secure regular first-team football, and has long been tipped as a target for the Gunners.

With question marks surrounding Giroud’s fitness, Wenger is now said to be stepping up his interest in the versatile 23-year-old, who is also rumoured to be on the radar of Hull City, Sunderland and Tottenham.

Red Devils academy product Welbeck is adept at link up play, meaning he could be an ideal fit for Wenger’s philosophy, and would provide pace, power and versatility to the Arsenal squad. Whether United, who poached former Gunners’ star striker Robin van Persie in 2012, would let a homegrown talent depart for a direct rival remains to be seen.

It is believed Louis van Gaal is reluctant to let Welbeck leave for a side in the top six but, with just 18 months left on the England frontman’s contract, he may have little option. The impending arrival of Angel Di Maria could potentially hasten a departure, with attacking positions already cramped at Old Trafford.

Arsenal are also being linked with a host of alternatives, though, and QPR attacker Loic Remy could be a viable and affordable option. The 27-year-old was set to switch to Liverpool earlier in the summer, but the deal crumbled following reported problems with the medical.