Wenger praises Welbeck as Arsenal thrash Southampton

Britain Football Soccer - Southampton v Arsenal - FA Cup Fourth Round - St Mary's Stadium - 28/1/17 Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger in the stands Reuters / Paul Hackett Livepic

LONDON (Reuters) - Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger praised Danny Welbeck after the striker scored his first goals since injuring his knee last May to help his side hammer Southampton 5-0 in the FA Cup on Saturday.

Welbeck, starting for the first time this season after three substitute appearances since recovering, struck twice in the opening 22 minutes and set up England team mate Theo Walcott for the first of his three goals as Arsenal killed off the fourth-round tie before halftime.