Arsenal facing striker crisis ahead of trip to Southampton.

Arsene Wenger is facing a striker crisis ahead of Thursday's clash against Southampton after Danny Welbeck picked up a thigh problem.

With Olivier Giroud suspended, Welbeck was a certainty to play in the lone striker role on New Year’s Day.

But the England forward is a doubt for the trip to St Mary’s, meaning Wenger could be without a recognised striker.

Wenger confirmed: ‘We have one alert after the game at West Ham and that’s Danny Welbeck, he could be short for Thursday.’

Lukas Podolski looks to be the favourite to play in the striker role if Welbeck fails to prove his fitness, with Theo Walcott only just returning from injury. And Wenger, who also revealed Aaron Ramsey will not be fit for the trip, has slammed Inter Milan for their offer to sign Podolski.

The Serie A club want to take the Germany international on loan until the end of the season when the transfer window re-opens.