Arsenal forward Danny Welbeck has left the club at the end of his contract along with veteran goalkeeper Petr Cech and experienced defender Stephan Lichtsteiner. Welbeck’s exit was expected after the England international’s injury-ravaged spell at the Emirates Stadium, while Czech ‘keeper Cech and Swiss international Lichtsteiner had previously hinted they would be leaving once their contracts expired.
Arsenal also announced youngsters Cohen Bramall, Charlie Gilmour, and Julio Pleguezuelo will leave the  Gunners. Welbeck, 28, joined Arsenal from Manchester United during 2014 and went on to win the FA Cup under Arsene Wenger. Often utilised as an attacking option off the bench, Welbeck suffered a string of injury setbacks, the latest being a broken ankle against Sporting Lisbon in a Europa League tie on November 8.
Despite the striker’s long-term future being in doubt, the club had not made any official comment, while Arsenal manager Unai Emery gave little away when asked. However, following the Gunners’ final home match of the Premier League season against Brighton, Welbeck was honoured with a memento from Arsenal chairman Chips Keswick. Cech, 37, is widely rumoured to be returning to his former club Chelsea in a coaching role.

Man United agree deal ‘in
principle’ to sign Daniel James
Manchester United announced yesterday they had agreed a deal ‘in principle’ to buy Swansea winger Daniel James, who is set to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first signing at the club. United will reportedly pay Swansea £18mn ($23mn), including add-ons, for the 21-year-old Wales international. The Championship club said the transfer was expected to be formally completed on Tuesday.

Super sub Hwang gives
South Korea win over Australia
Substitute Hwang Ui-jo pounced on a deflection to give South Korea a 1-0 home win in their friendly against Australia yesterday, breaking the deadlock in a stodgy match that had seemed destined for a draw. Six of Hwang’s seven international goals have come in the past 15 matches, all under Portuguese boss Paulo Bento.
The Socceroos almost took an early lead in Busan in the 18th minute when Mitchell Duke tried to power home a Brandon O’Neill corner, but saw his header come off the right post. The game then settled into stalemate, with Tottenham star Son Heung-min — on international duty less than a week after his Champions League final loss to Liverpool — unable to inspire a lacklustre attack past a physical Australian defence.
 
Kante out of France’s Euro
qualifiers with knee injury
Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante will miss France’s upcoming Euro 2020 qualifiers against Turkey and Andorra due to a knee injury, the French Football Federation (FFF) has said. Kante was injured in training before Chelsea faced Arsenal in last week’s Europa League final but played the full 90 minutes as his side beat their London rivals 4-1.
The 28-year-old was also in France’s squad for their 2-0 victory over Bolivia in a friendly international in Nantes on Sunday but did not play. France, who currently top Group H after both their qualifiers so far, play Turkey in Konya today before facing Andorra three days later. Albania, Iceland and Moldova are the other teams in the group.