Welbeck missed the first half of the season after needing surgery last May, the second straight campaign ruined by long-term knee injuries. He's been in and out of Arsene Wenger's starting lineup, and said ahead of Saturday's FA Cup final that a minor foot injury has prevented him from playing more regularly.

"It's just a bruise on the bottom of my foot. So any time I'm running on it, then I'm just repeatedly banging on the bruise," Welbeck said. "It's been difficult, obviously, coming back from the injury and then coming into the team and out of it. ... It's difficult and my body has to adjust to the training load and then playing in the matches.

"So you do get your little niggles here and there, and it's something that you've got to cope with. But I feel like I've been handling it pretty well, and I've had no major reactions with my knees. It's just a little niggle here and there with my foot and my big toe. That's the thing that's really been putting me out of the team I think, at the moment."

Welbeck could be in line to start Saturday's final against Chelsea, having been preferred to Olivier Giroud up front in the Premier League finale against Everton on Sunday. And while Wenger has been rotating his forwards quite frequently lately, Welbeck is hoping to be a more regular starter next season. Because he doesn't think his previous knee problems will prevent him from playing every three or four days in the future.

Welbeck Injury PA

"I've not done it [yet], but I'm looking forward to building on the stage that I'm at at the moment. And in the future, hopefully I'll be playing three games a week," he said.

Welbeck would probably be guaranteed more playing time if Alexis Sanchez was to leave the club this summer, with Bayern Munich among those clubs who are reportedly interested in the Chile forward. But Welbeck said it was crucial for Arsenal to keep hold of their leading scorer.

"I think it's obvious to see how important he is for the team with his great abilities on the pitch, and also off it with his attitude. But I can't really comment on his situation at the moment, I don't know how it is," Welbeck said. "It's not great to lose your best players."