Arsenal striker Danny Welbeck is reportedly expected to miss the remainder of the season after sustaining a serious ankle injury during Thursday's Europa League clash with Sporting Lisbon.
The Gunners progressed into the last 32 of the competition with a goalless draw against Sporting, but the match was overshadowed by Welbeck's first-half injury which left a number of his teammates visibly shaken.
The England international needed oxygen on the pitch before being carried off on a stretcher and it is feared that he suffered a break, dislocation and ligament damage to his ankle.
Should that be the case then Welbeck is highly unlikely to feature again this season, which could also see his Arsenal career come to an end with his contract due to expire next summer.
Negotiations over an extension have not yet started, and the Gunners are now even more unlikely to begin talks given the serious nature of the injury.
Welbeck joined Arsenal in 2014 and has since scored 32 goals in 126 appearances for the club across all competitions.
Barney Corkhill
