Arsenal fear Danny Welbeck will be ruled out for at least the next month with the groin injury he suffered in the goalless draw against Chelsea.

Welbeck is almost certainly out of England’s final two World Cup qualifiers against Slovenia and Lithuania next month, having undergone a scan on Monday.

The forward is scheduled to have another scan on Tuesday, when he should learn exactly how long he will be out, but Arsenal are already fearful it will be at least another month before he is available again.

Welbeck will face a lengthy spell out if the second scan confirms a tear and the 26-year-old’s latest injury setback is a blow for Arsenal considering he had started the season well.