Big chance for Arsenal’s Danny Welbeck to prove his critics wrong
After a GBP 16million move to Arsenal from Manchester United on deadline transfer day this summer, Danny Welbeck will be eager to start a new chapter in his life. Arsenal host champions Manchester City at the Emirates on Saturday, and Welbeck’s debut for the Gunners couldn’t have come at a better time. For Welbeck, this journey is an important one and he will look to grab it with both hands to be Arsenal’s new striking face.
With the long term ankle injury to Olivier Giroud who is set to miss action until January, Arsenal bought Welbeck on the final hours of the deadline day. Arsenal’s other forwards Joel Campbell and Yaya Sanogo, are young and inexperienced. With Sanogo not taking his opportunities, it gives Welbeck the perfect platform to make his move count.
The 23-year old showed glimpses of brilliance after he bagged both the goals in England’s 2-0 win against Switzerland in Basel, in their Euro 2016 qualifying match. Welbeck scored 29 goals in 142 appearances for Manchester United. He was behind Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie in the pecking order and was mostly used as a left winger under former United manager David Moyes. The versatile forward became a frustrated figure at United with lack of opportunities and was given the nod by Louis van Gaal to find newer pastures this summer alongside Javier Hernandez.
The arrival of Radamel Falcao spelled the end of Welbeck at Old Trafford, with youngster James Wilson favoured to be given chances under the Dutchman. Louis van Gaal stated on Friday that Welbeck’s goal record didn’t match the tally of Rooney and RVP and therefore he was allowed to leave the club.
But at Arsenal, Welbeck will be given the chance to shine upfront and stake a claim to be the club’s main striker. Welbeck will want to fight for a regular place against Giroud when the latter is back from injury, but till then he has the license to prove his critics wrong.
He is a hard-working player who has impressed with clever runs, fine passing and good defensive skills too. With the likes of world-class stars in Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez, Welbeck will get plenty of goal scoring opportunities.
Earlier, former United legends Paul Scholes, David Beckham, Rio Ferdinand and Gary Neville had lashed out at the club for letting Welbeck leave. Alex Ferguson’s assistant, Mike Phelan too had criticised United’s transfer policy.
Welbeck will hope to get started against City in the earnest, as Arsenal travel to Germany’s Ruhr Valley where they will face a strong Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Tuesday.
