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Arsenal fearing the worst over Danny Welbeck horror injury as they line up Nicolas Pepe

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The striker may have sustained a three different injuries on his ankle (Picture: Getty)

Arsenal fear Danny Welbeck could miss the remainder of the season following his horrific ankle injury and are primed to enter the transfer market for a replacement, according to reports.

The England international received oxygen before being stretchered off in Arsenals goalless draw against 10-man Sporting in the Europa League on Thursday and was immediately sent to hospital.

According to the Daily Mail, he has remained there overnight on Friday and doctors will give him an MRI scan to see if he requires an operation.

Arsenal are expected to confirm Welbecks diagnosis in the next 72 hours (Picture: Getty)

The current outlook is not good for the forward, however, and the club are concerned that he may have suffered a break, dislocation and ligament damage.

That would mean he will not play again this season and potentially cut short his Arsenal career prematurely, given that he is out of contract in the summer.

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The Mail report that Welbecks injury blow could force Arsenal into the transfer market when the window reopens in January, with Nicolas Pepe their prime target.

The attacker has enjoyed an excellent campaign so far, scoring eight times and laying on a further five assists to help Lille up to third place in the Ligue 1 table.

Welbecks injury could see Arsenal bring forward their move for Pepe (Picture: Getty)

Arsenal have been linked with Pepe before but Welbecks injury may force their hand, though the 23-year-old previously insisted he would not leave Lille in the middle of the season – though he did welcome interest from the Gunners.

A preference between Dortmund, Bayern or Arsenal? Theyre all big clubs, I was not aware of these rumours, although its nice, Pepe told Telefoot.

The Ivory Coast international – who is also being tracked by the likes of Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Barcelona – is expected to command a price tag of around £44million.