Danny Welbeck completed a £16million move from Manchester United to Arsenal yesterday in order to bolster the Gunners attacking options. However, is Danny Welbeck the solution for the misfiring Gunners?
The 23-year-old has a wealth of top flight and international experience, including 26 international caps, a Premier League title, a League cup, a Community Shield and a World Club Challenge. But this was all with the Old Trafford outfit under the infamous reign of footballs greatest manager, Sir Alex Ferguson.
The Gunners are a different animal altogether, a side that up until last season’s FA Cup final win against Hull City had endured a nine season trophy drought. Arsenal’s attacking options are well documented and well, limited to be truthful. Even with a fully-fit Olivier Giroud, who scored 23 goals for the club last campaign, they still lack the cutting edge in attack that sets Manchester City and now Chelsea, following their capture of Diego Costa, apart at the Premier League summit.
No questions about it Welbeck is a promising player and can provide Arsenal with both a hard work ethic on and off the ball, but a player that has the ability to turn a defence by running in behind, something Giroud rarely does.
Similarly, the striker who lives and breaths Manchester United, joins a key core of English players that Arsene Wenger has to his repertoire. New additions Welbeck and Calum Chambers add to the likes of Theo Walcott, Jack Wilshere Alex Oxlade-Chamberlian and Kieran Gibbs.
However, looking around their Premier League rivals attacking options, even following Alvaro Negredo’s loan move to Valencia, Manchester City still boast Sergio Aguero, Stevan Jovetic and Edin Dzeko. Similarly, across the red side of the city, United have Rooney, Van Persie and now Radamel Falcao.
Even Liverpool without the controversial Luis Suarez still have greater attacking options than the Gunners.
For me, Arsenal have nowhere near enough fire power to be up with the big boys come May. Of course the side do have a wealth of midfield talent made up of Santi Carzola, Alexis Sanchez, Aaron Ramsey, Mesut Ozil and so on, but as history has shown it is almost impossible to win the league without a striker who is going to contribute with 15-20 goals a season.
Don’t get me wrong the Gunners have Walcott to come back into the side following a lengthy lay-off, but I still believe they’ve missed a trick with Falcao and even Remy for that matter. The gunners need proven true goalscorer and unfortunately Welbeck doesn’t fall into this category.
He’s a typical Arsenal and Arsene Wenger signing. He’s young, quick, works hard for the team and will chip in with the odd goal and outstanding performance. But shouldn’t Arsenal be looking for more than another fourth-placed finish? If they’re serious about challenging for the title they need to add a world class forward-and a defensive player whilst you’re at it-to their ranks.
But who can tell? After all Liverpool signed Danny Sturridge from Chelsea where he predominantly played on the wing and gave him a run of games in the middle of the park and now look at him.
With Giroud sidelined until January, Welbeck will get a long run of games to show off his best. Lets hope he doesn’t dissapoint.
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