After all the speculation, predictions and expectations of Arsenal’s new signings in the last couple days of the transfer window, the club opted with signing of England International Danny Welbeck. He may not be the world class striker or even the powerful defensive midfielder most Arsenal fans were crying out for, but he sure is a talent with a potentially bright future. Coming up through the Manchester United Academy since he was eight years old, Welbeck was deemed to be the next big English striker. That hasn’t been the case thus far as his progress made up to 2012 was stunted by the signing of former Arsenal man Robin Van Persie, dropping Welbeck down the pecking order.
Forced to play on the wing for most games since then, Welbeck hadn’t been able to make his mark on the team. When he was given the chance at the centre forward role, his performances have proven to be exciting and consistent. Late in 2013, Welbeck started 6 games as the main striker for United as Rooney and Van Persie were struck with injuries, and it resulted in 6 goals from those games. It isn’t much to base the future of a career on but when push comes to shove, he can find the back of the net that’s for sure.
Danny Welbeck states that one of his boyhood hero’s was Arsenal legend Thierry Henry and it’s safe to say it’s obvious in his goal scoring technique. One only has to look back to his last Premier League goal for United in which he receives a through ball in the box on his left foot and turns his body to curl it in with his right into the side of the net. If that doesn’t remind an Arsenal fan of Henry then they’re probably not thrilled with Welbeck’s signing. This is not a prediction that he will become the next Henry, but an observation which alludes to the fact that if Welbeck can successfully continue to emulate the Frenchman, he will have an immense future for both club and country.
No matter how well Olivier Giroud can hold up the ball, which is not even consistent enough, he will not lead Arsenal to a Premier League title any time soon. His performances are overshadowed with poor touches, pointless flicks and the worst one of all, his horrendous finishing. Scoring zero goals against the Top 5 last season, Giroud is not the answer, neither is the man who’s hasn’t scored for Arsenal period. Yaya Sanogo could be a future star but now is not the time to start the inexperienced Frenchman when vital points are up for grabs.
Danny Welbeck must start every game as the central striker, the number 9. It is the only way to get the best out of him. He provides the link up play Giroud is overly praised for, he has natural strength to withstand the wear and tear of Premier League defenders and also attains a trait missing in Arsenal strikers since Adebayor and that is pure pace. If Arsenal want to break through stubborn defences or counter attack, then pace is the simple answer. On countless occasions the midfield have threaded perfect balls through the opposition defence and players like Giroud and Sanogo were too stagnant to capitalise. Welbeck may not be considered world class, but he possesses all the attributes of the mould of striker Arsenal are desperate for. Now he’s been given the opportunity to take his career to the next level and fill the gaping hole in the number 9 position for one of the biggest clubs in the world. At 23, Danny Welbeck can’t be ‘Dat Guy’ anymore, he has to become ‘The Guy.’