Age: 24
Appearances: 34
Total Goals: 8
Total Assists: 6
FreshArsenal Season Rating: 6.9/10
Season Analysis: Welbeck signed for Arsenal from Manchester Untied on deadline day of the summer transfer window, after Louis Van Gaal branded the England forward as “not good enough”. The sole catalyst for the Dutchman’s shock decision was based on Welbeck’s goalscoring record, with 29 goals in 142 appearances for United.
Such scathing criticism of Welbeck encouraged him to try and prove a point, as a ruthless goalscoring centre forward – a point being proved at international level, but not so much at club level.
With Olivier Giroud being ruled out for the following 3 months in August, and Yaya Sanogo showing the rawness of his ability with a worrying performance at Leicester, the signing of another forward was desperately in need.
The England man almost enjoyed a dream start to life at Arsenal, when he hit the post with an audacious chip against Manchester City, during his debut at the Emirates in September. Instead, his first goal for the Gunners came away to Aston Villa a week later.
One of Welbeck’s major season highlights was when he bagged his first career hat-trick, which came at home to Galatasaray in October’s Champions League group stage fixture. The manner in which those goals were scored were that of a world-class centre forward, even prompting similarities to that of Arsenal legend Thierry Henry.
At this rate, United fans grew increasingly irritated and envious of their former striker’s form, with Gooners marvelling in satisfaction with what seemed like retribution for Robin van Persie’s move to Old Trafford, especially with Welbeck being a product of United’s youth academy.
However, Van Gaal’s criticism of Welbeck’s goalscoring ability justified itself, with the England man managing only a goal a month, as the season progressed.
There were a number of games which unfortunately proved the Dutchman right; Dortmund away, Chelsea at Home spring to mind. When given in chance in front of goal in those games, he simply didn’t show the same prolific and ruthless abilities of that in the Galatasaray game.
The manager’s use of him more so on the wing In Giroud’s presence might arguably have been the reason for such a goal drought, but it’s hardly an excuse when comparing him to Sanchez and Walcott, who are both utilized in similar positions.
Despite this though, his work-rate, pace and strength are admirable. He’s often a troubling thorn for opposition full-backs when playing out wide, but in general his first touch needs to some improvement if he wishes to become a world-class centre forward.
Moment of the Season: Scoring the winning goal vs Manchester United at Old Trafford in the FA Cup quarter-final.
Current Value: £15m
Potential Value: £25m