Arsenal have confirmed their star forward will continue more time on the sidelines as he underwent knee surgery and will be out of action for several months.

The England international joined the north London club last summer and scored a goal against his former club on his return to Old Trafford, which eliminated Louis van Gaal’s side out of the previous campaign’s FA Cup.

Welbeck sustained a knee injury in April and missed the Gunners’ pre-season as he was undergoing a rehabilitation. However, the former Red Devils attacker has failed to recover from his injury and was forced to go under the knife.

#Arsenal forward Danny Welbeck has undergone surgery on his left knee. Full story here: http://t.co/x90WdtcGND pic.twitter.com/x0THO1LhcZ

— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) September 3, 2015

“Danny Welbeck has undergone surgery on his left knee after being unable to sufficiently step up his rehabilitation work,” a statement read on Arsenal’s official website.

“The striker has been working throughout the summer to recover from the injury sustained at the end of April.

“It had been hoped he would avoid surgery but after increasing his training workload, the injury to his cartilage did not respond as well as hoped and the decision was taken last week for him to undergo surgery by a leading specialist in the field.

“Danny is now expected to be out for a period of months and everyone at Arsenal wishes him well.”

Arsene Wenger did not sign any outfield player as Petr Cech was Arsenal’s only signing in the summer transfer window, who arrived from Chelsea. Welbeck’s injury will leave the Frenchman will his compatriot Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott as the only two first choice strikers in the squad.