Thursday 9 July 2015 12:34, UK
Arsenal forward Danny Welbeck will not travel with the squad to the Barclays Asia Trophy as he continues to recover from the ongoing knee problem which ruled him out of the end of last season.
Arsene Wenger will take 27 players to Singapore for the first stage of their pre-season preparations, with summer signing Petr Cech included after completing his £10m move from Chelsea.
The club have decided not to take any chances with England international Welbeck, though, who will remain in London to continue his recuperation from a knee problem which kept him out of the final few weeks of the season and saw him miss the FA Cup final and England's June internationals.
"Welbeck isn't completely recovered from the problem he had. He is not back in full training, so he will stay behind,” Wenger told the club’s official website.
Czech midfielder Tomas Rosicky, who along with skipper Mikel Arteta has signed a contract extension, is also left out of the trip to the Far East because of what Wenger describes as a small injury picked up on international duty.
Goalkeeper David Ospina, linked with a move away from the Emirates following Cech's arrival, has been given extra holiday following the Copa America, as has striker Alexis Sanchez, whose penalty in the shoot-out won the final for hosts Chile.
Defender Calum Chambers, striker Chuba Akpom and 18-year-old American midfielder Gedion Zelalem could all be offered some key experience.
But Carl Jenkinson, Yaya Sanogo and Joel Campbell were not included in the group and appear likely to be sent out on loan for next season.
Arsenal play a Singapore XI next Wednesday, July 15, then are scheduled to face either Everton or Stoke.
The Gunners return to England to host the Emirates Cup on July 25 and 26 before taking on Chelsea in the FA Community Shield at Wembley on August 2.
Arsenal then begin their Premier League campaign with a home game against West Ham, live on Sky Sports on Sunday August 9.
Watch Arsenal take on a Singapore Select XI at the Barclays Asia Trophy. Coverage begins on Sky Sports 1 HD at 1.25pm on Wednesday.
