It’s not often you return from a 12 month injury and get placed straight back into the squad, and we all know that isn’t how Wenger manages this team. But for Theo Walcott, it would seem his once secure position has been placed into jeopardy by the arrival of summer signing, Danny Welbeck.
The pair have known each other for a long time since being involved in the England squad from an early age, but it came as a surprise to most Arsenal fans that in 2015 they’d be competing for a place, rather than linking up together out on the pitch.
Arsene Wenger now has the squad depth to be able to play around with the starting 11 each week, and it seems he’s sending a message out to his players now; that their place isn’t necessarily guaranteed week in, week out.
Now we all know that Welbeck and Theo can offer something different from one another, but when you compare the two there are several reasons for their selection out on the right-wing. We’ve taken a look at both arguments for Welbeck playing out there, and discuss whether Walcott has the ability to fight his way back in.
Welbeck On The Wing
When Danny Welbeck first signed for Arsenal, he looked to be the main man coming in to fill the boots of back-up striker, Nicklas Bendtner. And since his move from Manchester United, the Englishman has had his fair share of chances in the role up top.
Whilst Olivier Giroud suffered a 2-month injury, Welbeck took charge of the attacking line up, and performed well with his new side, including a Champions League hat-trick. However, Wenger always stated that he bought the 23-year-old as a versatile player who can be utilised during the game.
He’s played as a two with Giroud;Â out on the left-wing; and recently has moved over to the right-wing to accommodate the return of Alexis Sanchez.
Danny is a player who will work his socks off, and that’s the main reason why he deserves to start over Walcott. His ability to move into the middle of play and back out again is second to none, and if he loses the ball you know he will work to get it back.
Most noteworthy of Welbeck is his strength and conditioning work, after he changed his game to become a more all-round player. He proved against Crystal Palace that he has the ability to cover players when they’re out of position, as was shown when saving the blushes of Callum Chambers.
Playing Welbeck also gives Wenger the chance to play the high line against opposition, with his pace good enough to head forwards and back. He sometimes likes to drift in and out of the midfield as well, and his experience on the left-wing gives us another option if things aren’t happening. We have seen Ozil and Welbeck swap positions before, and his impact on the left hand side was clear to see when he was involved in both goals against Palace.
If Walcott was playing on the left hand side it would be a case of cutting inside all of the time and we wouldn’t be able to see that pace work just as well, because his left foot ability has never been up to standard.
The last thing I love about Welbeck taking the right hand side position is his ability to offer competition. Ever since the inclusion of Alexis or Ozil, Santi Cazorla has raised his game to another level, and I feel that’s something Walcott needs to do as well. Theo isn’t a player who deserves to be on the bench and he knows that, so the challenge to prove his talent can only be a good thing, and Welbeck supplies that challenge
Welbeck Is A Worry
Many Arsenal fans have shared their concerns about Welbeck playing on the wings, after the man was bought to back up Giroud, so why is he not playing in that role?
It’s funny really, when Welbeck left United he thought he had finally escaped the curse that was put on him to play on the wings, but it seems Wenger never lifted that curse.
Ever since Giroud returned, Welbeck has started the game on one of the wings, something he wasn’t too keen to do. Some Arsenal fans have expressed concerns that he doesn’t give enough effort out there, simply because he wants to be playing up top still.
Another concern of Welbeck to consider is the pace. Yes, sure he’s got it, but it’s nowhere near as good as the pace and creativity of Walcott. Theo and Mesut have seemed to have created some sort of telepathic connection on that right hand side, and its one more option for us to play balls over the top for Walcott to latch on to.
With Welbeck, it’s all about playing football down the right hand side, and then cutting in the cross or working around the edge of the area to feed into the strikers. Think about it like this, if you were to have the choice of someone for the counter attacking option out of Walcott and Welbeck, who would you choose? Exactly.
To Conclude
To sum up, you have to consider the opponent in terms of who starts in that position. For the likes of Walcott, he allows the defenders to drop lower which provides more space for the midfield to create. That option though usually leaves Arsenal open to a counter attacking threat, which in defensive circumstances leaves Walcott bewildered.
With Welbeck out there, it’s a case of playing a safe ball game and opening up teams. His intricate play allows the midfield to combine and wait for the opening. With Walcott, it’s all very fast down the wing, but Welbeck can control both sides of his game to provide a balance.
When you look at the two, Welbeck offers Walcott the competition he needs to perform better, which is something you can’t put a transfer price on.