Arsenal chief explains decision to let Danny Welbeck leave on free transfer

Arsenal's head of football Raul Sanllehi has explained why Danny Welbeck has been allowed to leave on a free transfer this summer. Out injured since November, the English forward knows he must make the most of his limited chances to impress his manager before the date in Baku. Whether or not Welbeck plays any part in the Europa League final against Chelsea, he will leave Arsenal in the summer after five years at the club. Welbeck joined Arsenal from United for £18million in 2014. "In ways it is quite similar to the Aaron situation," he said, speaking to Arsenal's official website. "This summer we were in talks with him to see if [he would stay or go], he had several offers, he decided to continue in the club until the end of the contract. We respected that. We knew that he was going to add a lot to the club over the last year, but again, we were in the last year of contract so it was a very similar situation." Asked whether that policy had backfired in light of Welbeck missing six months through injury, Sanllehi said: "Well, that's the only risk of going to the last year of the contract. You have all the upsides on the strength that you have to negotiate a new contract elsewhere, but the risk that you're running is getting an injury on your last year, yes."

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