Arsene Wenger raised fears Danny Welbeck could miss the forthcoming European Championships in France after he injured his cartilage in an innocuous challenge with former Gunner Bacary Sagna during his side’s 2-2 draw with Manchester City at The Etihad this afternoon.

The Salford-born forward only returned from injury in February after surgery to his left cartilage in September 2015 after being out since April 2015.

Welbeck appeared to injure his right knee after he contested a ball with defender Sagna on 22 minutes during the match which saw plenty of wonderful attacking and woeful defending.

According to Wenger the player will have tests in the coming days to confirm the extent of the injury, but speaking after the game he said; “I hope that Danny Welbeck has not injured his lateral meniscus [a cushioning wedge-shaped pad of cartilage attached to the top of the shin bone].

“He’s a strong boy and is not the type to go off injured for no reason, but he said to me at half time; ‘It’s looking bad’.

“The best case is that he makes the tournament. The worst is that he doesn’t.

“I’m a bit worried but let’s not speculate just yet.”

The match ended 2-2 in a draw punctuated by constant attacking play and substandard defending.

The home team took the lead on seven minutes with a Sergio Aguero low strike which beat a slightly flat-footed Petr Cech to make it 1-0. Yet fewer than 120 seconds later the Gunners replied through an Olivier Giroud header.

Despite sapping temperatures in the mid 20s both teams continued to enthral despite some ponderous – and at times downright appalling defending.

Kevin de Bruyne netted early in the second half to make it 2-1 to City, but Alexis Sanchez then fired home an equaliser on 67 minutes to the joy of his teammates – sending 3,000 travelling fans into raptures in the process.

However, departing City manager Manuel Pellegrini talking after the last home game of his three-year tenure added; “It was disappointing not to win the game.

“It would have been good to say goodbye with a win.”