ARSENE WENGER urged Arsenal fans yesterday to get behind the current squad instead of asking why he did not sign a replacement for injured forward Danny Welbeck.

Welbeck’s out until after Christmas following surgery on a knee injury which made him miss the end of last season and the FA Cup final win against Aston Villa.

The decision to operate was taken before the September 1 transfer deadline — meaning Arsenal had time to buy players to bolster their attack.

Both Karim Benzema at Real Madrid and Uruguayan forward Edinson Cavani from Paris St Germain were reported targets.

Wenger hit back yesterday, insisting he had not lied about the situation at the time. The Gunners boss remains confident that the squad can cope.

“To support the club and support the team is to stand behind the players — it is not always expecting someone coming down from heaven to sort out all your problems. Support is believing in the players in the squad and this is a good opportunity to do that for our supporters,” he said.

Midfielder Jack Wilshere will not return for the Stoke game as expected from a hairline fracture in his fibula following the international break but German defender Per Mertesacker could be in contention again following illness.