London, May 12 (IANS): Arsenal has announced its international English striker Danny Welbeck will be sidelined for nearly nine months after undergoing a surgery on the right knee. He will miss the Euro 2016 in France.

In a statement published on its official website on Wednesday, Arsenal said: "Specialists determined surgery was required after scans and tests revealed significant cartilage damage."

"Danny will miss the Euro 2016 Championship in the summer and his full recovery is expected to take approximately nine months," Efe quoted Arsenal as saying.

Welbeck, 25, who played 35 games with England and scored 14 goals, will miss his chance to feature in Euro 2016 and will be sidelined as well during the first half of the 2016-17 season with Arsenal.

Welbeck returned to the pitch after picking up a nasty injury in March and started Arsenal's previous Premier League match against Manchester City before exiting the field after feeling knee pains.

"Everyone at Arsenal will be working hard with Danny throughout his recovery and look forward to seeing him back on the pitch as soon as possible," Arsenal added.

England will play in Euro 2016 in Group B along with Russia, Wales and Slovakia.