The signing of Danny Welbeck from Manchester United was viewed by many as a last minute panic buy to patch up the Arsenal front line. This couldn’t be further from the truth.
Admittedly Arsene Wenger tested fans patience yet again on transfer deadline day, but I believe he’s done excellent business bringing Welbeck to the club.
Another young, hungry English player to add to the British core, who offers Arsenal something they desperately need. He brings pace and movement which is far superior to that of the current first choice striker Olivier Giroud. Welbeck also has bags of energy which will be a real asset to Arsenal, they’ve looked very flat on occasion this season but with him and Alesix Sanchez pressing from the front Wenger’s men should get the oomph they need.
Although Giroud has done exceptionally well, especially last season, his limited ability in certain areas means the world class players around him have a tough job creating the sort of magic they’re capable of. With Welbeck, the system can be tinkered and Arsneal have the option of playing 4-2-3-1. With Mesut Ozil in his favoured number 10 role, Sanchez and the returning Theo Walcott on the wings; Arsenal have a frightening front four.
There is one fairly big question mark surrounding Arsenals newest signing though. Admittedly his goal scoring record isn’t great, 26 goals in 118 Premiership appearances is hardly eye-catching. It’s worth noting that Welbeck was rarely used as a striker at United, he was behind Wayne Rooney and Robin Van Persie in the pecking order so was mainly deployed out wide.
I don’t see Welbeck scoring 20 goals a season. I do however see him as a solid 10-15 goal striker and as Arsenal have goals throughout their front line coming from the likes of Alexis, Ramsey and soon Walcott; I don’t see his goal scoring being an issue.
At just 23 it’s a big ask for Welbeck to lead the line for a club the size of Arsenal, but when you consider their other options Arsenal fans had better hope he’s up to the task. Yaya Sanogo looks far from the finished article and this week he admitted struggling to adapt to the Premier League.
Arsenal also have a number of players who have been played mainly out wide but either can or want to play through the middle. Lucas Podolski, Theo Walccott and Alxis Sanchez have all played as Arsenals focal point, but not to any great success.
With Giroud out till January, I can see Welbeck cementing himself as the main man in The Gunners attack. With the tutelage and faith that I expect Wenger to give him, Welbeck will go from strength to strength while transforming Arsenals front line into something to be feared.