How do YOU rate Danny Welbeck’s Arsenal career so far?

How has Welbeck fared for Arsenal so far? by SE

How Welbeck’s transfer happened?

Danny Welbeck’s summer transfer from Manchester United to Arsenal wasn’t an anticipated one, as the Salford born Manchester United academy graduate looked set for a loan move to North London derby rivals, Tottenham Hotspur, towards the end of the transfer window. Then our first-choice front man Olivier Giroud suffered an ankle injury during the dying moments of the Everton game on August 23rd, which suggested that Wenger might be forced to reopen his cheque book and sign a prolific Center-Forward before the transfer window slams shut. Even then, Welbeck wasn’t the frontrunner to move to the Emirates, as the likes of Balotelli, Cavani and Remy continued to be linked with the North Londoners.

To make things spicier and apprehensive for the Arsenal faithful on transfer deadline day, Arsene Wenger was busy refereeing a charity match in Rome, which sent out a staunch suggestion that he wasn’t interested in signing a replacement for the injured Giroud. Welbeck deal, however, happened because Manchester United signed Radamel Falcao on loan from Monaco, and with Van Gaal unimpressed by Welbeck’s ability, the Englishman was available for an enviable £16m deal. Interestingly, Wenger made the deal happen despite being in Rome and the acquisition has been welcomed by a major contingent of the Arsenal faithful.

How Welbeck has fared for Arsenal so far?
Welbeck, despite showing flashes of brilliance during his time at Old Trafford, was largely dwarfed by the stature of Van Persie and Wayne Rooney who would be definite starters in most teams. While there was little cynicism over Welbeck’s potential, the Englishman’s track record at Manchester United wasn’t the most prolific one. He had scored just 20 goals from 92 appearances for the Red Devils, many of which came as a substitute. And, in addition, Van Gaal proved to be a detractor of the youngster, as the new Manchester United manager termed Welbeck ‘not up to Manchester United standards’, which would have further pressurized Welbeck ahead of his move to the Emirates.

Making his debut for Arsenal against Manchester City, Welbeck was inches away from kick starting his Arsenal career on a grandiose note, as his attempted chip over Joe Hart struck the post and ricocheted back into the England No.1’s grasp. Following that tantalizing moment, Welbeck faded away from the game and failed to make an impact, but Arsenal supporters retained their positive impression on the former Manchester United striker.

Welbeck scored his first goal in Arsenal colors on the following weekend against Aston Villa, when he calmly finished a sumptuous Ozil cross from the Left-Hand-Side. In the following weekend against Tottenham, Welbeck worked hard but didn’t show for anything, as Arsenal shared the spoils in the North London derby and the Englishman didn’t add to his Arsenal goal tally. Then came Matchday 2 of the UEFA Champions League, as Arsenal hosted Galatasaray and made light work of their Turkish opponents by scoring 4, and conceding 1. Welbeck’s hat-trick embellished Arsenal’s massive victory, as the youngster joined the club of some of the most decorated English footballers to have scored a hat-trick on the elite European stage. Welbeck was raved about by pundits and fans alike. Well deserved, too.

Against Chelsea before the international break however, Welbeck couldn’t impose his physical frame against Terry and Cahill – arguably the best Center-Back partnership in the Premiership – who denied any clear-cut chances to their compatriot.

Final Thought
Welbeck has bagged 4 goals from 6 games in all competitions for Arsenal so far. Albeit it’s early days to cast a judgment on the 23-year old forward, suggestions are that Welbeck can only get better at Arsenal. As fortunate as he could have wished for, Giroud and Sanogo’s absence has also meant that he gets to play every game for his new club and that can only be beneficial to the player and his new employers.
Rating: 7.5/10