Arsenal manager Unai Emery has explained his decision to keep Danny Welbeck at the club, despite the Englishman being strongly tipped to move on.

Welbeck was supposedly on the radar of a number of Premier League outfits during the summer transfer window, which closed for English clubs on Thursday evening.

Emery has also ruled out selling the 27-year-old to a foreign side by the end of the month as he is a big fan of the player's versatility, even hinting that he could slot in at left-back against Manchester City.

"I said to Danny when he arrived with us after the holidays, I want the best ­performance of his career and he should work for that," he told reporters. "Then he has the possibility to play as a left winger, right winger or striker.

"I want him to get better with his ­quality and his data in this year – more goals, more assists and working to help when we need quick pressing against the opposition.

"Danny is one of the players who has a multi-position possibility - right winger, left winger, striker. On Friday he worked with us at left-back. His performance was good. I like this spirit and he can help positions across the team with the positivity of it.

Arsenal are without Nacho Monreal and Sead Kolasinac for their Premier League opener against Man City, although Ainsley Maitland-Niles is favourite to get the nod in the troublesome left-back position.