Martin Keown and Jermain Jenas explain why Arsenal’s Danny Welbeck was holding back against Ostersund

The Gunners won 3-0 at Ostersund on Thursday night to all-but secure a safe passage into the last 16 of the Europa League

Danny Welbeck failed to hit the back of the net (Getty)

Martin Keown and Jermaine Jenas have claimed that Arsenal striker Danny Welbeck may have been holding back during Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Ostersunds over fears of injuring himself on the club’s artificial pitch.

The Gunners won 3-0 at Ostersund on Thursday night to all-but secure a safe passage into the last 16 of the Europa League.

They are one of the favourites to follow in the footsteps of Manchester United and lift the trophy, which will see them return to the Champions League after a season's absence.

Welbeck led the Arsenal attack in the absence of both Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette, but failed to hit the target despite the Swedish side’s shaky defence.

And both Keown and Jenas think that may have something to do with the club’s artificial pitch.

Keown told BT Sport: “When a player is coming back from the very bad injuries that he’s had, I think he’s just wanting to get through the game unscathed. He said the pitch was “hard”.

“He’s really devoid of confidence at the moment. It was a difficult night for him.

“[Saman] Ghoddos the opposition striker was probably a better player tonight than Danny Welbeck.”

Arsenal already have one foot in the last 16 (Getty)

Jenas agreed, but said that Welbeck will likely improve as the season goes on together.

“I've been in a situation where I ruptured my Achilles and being asked to train on a 3G pitch and you’re half going “anything could happen here” so I feel for him,” he said.

“These pitches do have their risks.

“I think he was a bit worried tonight, you could tell by his interview afterwards, maybe it’s just in his head, I don’t blame him at all, it was about getting through the game for him and then kicking on.

“He’s not had one operation, he’s had two serious ones. The mental side is the toughest part and trusting his body again but that will come.”