Welbeck still deserves to have Arsenal’s support

Adifficult time for Danny Welbeck, whose rehabilitation from an ankle injury on Thursday night is likely to last longer than his contract, which expires at the end of this season. As things stand he will be a free agent by the time he is fit to play again and that adds another layer of complications onto negotiations with a potential new club.

For previous generations of professional footballers, just a few missed paydays from real hardship, these moments were cause for great anxiety. The injury will be traumatic for Welbeck too although, one hopes, his financial concerns will be less pressing.

But Arsene Wenger was right on this matter, and the principle stands. A player injured in service of his club should be supported by the club until he is fit to earn a wage again. Arsenal will just have to find a way of doing it.