Arsene Wenger backs Danny Welbeck to follow Emmanuel Petit's example and make England World Cup squad

James Olley22 November 2017

​Arsene Wenger believes Danny Welbeck can follow in the footsteps of Emmanuel Petit by forcing his way into late contention for a World Cup finals squad.

The 26-year-old Arsenal striker has not started an England game since March 2016, although he made two substitute appearances in September’s double-header against Malta and Slovakia.

Welbeck is in line to make his first appearance in over a month after travelling with the Arsenal squad for Thursday night’s Europa League clash with Cologne here in Germany.

Wenger cited Petit, who earned three international caps in as many years before winning the 1998 World Cup with France, as an example Welbeck can use.

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"I have a long experience and I have known players who have won the World Cup who in November had no chance to go," said Wenger.

"I remember especially Petit in 1998, he made it in March, April, May and he was one of the main players. Danny has the potential to go. If he is fit, he will go. I am convinced of that.

"It is a big year for him but I want it to be a big year for him for Arsenal. Because a consequence of that… the best way to go to the World Cup is not to think ‘I have to prepare for the World Cup’ it is to do well for your club and after you automatically are in the national team.

"You have a player next to me [Per Mertesacker] who has over 100 caps for Germany but he will tell the best way to do that is to focus every day.

"I would say that for me he is a striker who has top physical qualities, good movement. He is a team player as well. He can score goals, he can provide. He can play through the middle, he can play on the flanks.

Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

"I believe he is a top class striker and on top that he is loved by everybody in the squad. He is a fantastic guy and we are all very happy he is back because he has gone through very difficult periods in these last three years and personally I am very happy that he is back."

Wenger plans to name a strong team tomorrow night needing only a draw to top Group H but he confirmed youngsters Eddie Nketiah, Reiss Nelson and Joe Willock have all also travelled made the journey from London.

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