LENO: WE ALL TOLD DANNY TO GET WEL SOON..
BERND LENO believes Arsenal’s pre-match FaceTime session with stricken teammate Danny Welbeck sums up their togetherness under manager Unai Emery.
Welbeck (left), 26, suffered a horrific broken ankle last week and had an operation on Friday. But his team-mates tried to lift his spirits with a video call ahead of their 1-1 draw against Wolves.
The forward’s latest injury blow overshadowed the Gunners’ Europa League stalemate against Sporting Lisbon and is likely to keep him out for the rest of the season.
Keeper Leno, man of the match against Wolves, said: “We talked to him before the game in the meeting – we had a FaceTime session with him.
“It was very good, we wanted to win for him. We are all sorry for his injury, and hope he has a good recovery.
“He’s an important player for the team and also in the dressing room. I think he was happy to talk to us because he is still a big part of our team and we will support him.
“Togetherness is a big quality of this manager because he wants to have a team not just individuals.
“This meeting was very motivating for us. Every player wants to play for Danny because everybody likes him.”
Welbeck will now undergo a
second operation to repair his ankle. Friday’s first op is understood to have stabilised the ankle and this follow-up surgery will be to repair the damage. After that is done Arsenal will have a clearer idea of how long he will be out.
The club are very confident he will make a full and complete recovery, but the biggest concern is about the level of ligament damage and potential bone bruising.
Gunners boss Emery has already confirmed it was a break and there are concerns the England man could miss the rest of the campaign.
Welbeck’s contract is up at the end of the season and so his future at the Emirates remains uncertain. However, there will be no shortage of interest in Welbeck should he become a free agent even after suffering this injury.
The forward remains a very popular member of the Three Lions and Arsenal set-up with several clubs already keeping tabs on him before his latest injury setback.