Arsenal boss set to unleash the beast against Man City?

As well as praising the Arsenal and England international star for the way he came back after a long time out with injury problems, Arsene Wenger was attempting to explain to the confused Arsenal fans just why he had dropped Danny Welbeck from the Arsenal starting line-up in recent weeks.

We are not just talking about the win over Norwich City on Saturday either, even though that match and the decision of the manager to take Alex Iwobi and not Olivier Giroud off when he brought on Welbeck after the break. That was the third game in a row that Welbeck had started on the bench and after the way he impressed after his return to the side and with Giroud being on his longest ever goal drought, it seemed an odd decision.

But Wenger has revealed in an Arsenal.com report that it was all about the fitness of the forward, which had slumped after the initial spurt when he gave everything and drained the batteries that had not been used since the end of last season.

The Frenchman said, “Welbeck came in and played very well [on his comeback], like the players who have been out for nine months always do,” the manager said.

“You have to trust me on that, I know that well – after they come in they are super sharp and then after, against Crystal Palace, he had a very average game and looked a bit for one or two games that he paid for the physical energy he had given.

“So you let them rest one or two games and you bring them back in. [Against Norwich], when he came on, you could see he is a different animal again.

“A striker wants to score goals and when he doesn’t, is it pure confidence or is it just to think, ‘How can I score again?’” he said. “They need goals.

“But he [Giroud] responds, he’s a guy who is mentally strong. Today he gave an assist, I put that in the same category as a goal.”

Welbeck also backed the statement of the boss and even admitted that his half hour against Norwich had taken a lot out of him, but in another Arsenal.com report he made it clear that he did not really want to be a sub and that he would much prefer to start in the centre forward position.

He said, “It is down to the manager, but I want to play every single game as players do. Being out for such a long time and coming back, you have to get back into match fitness. As you can tell, I’m blowing and I only played 30 minutes. It was nice, and I want to keep on playing games and building up my fitness.

“I prefer to play as a striker, but once I’m on the pitch I’m going to do my best and try to win the game for my team.”

With Arsenal likely to be involved in a much more open game next weekend at Man City, where the pace and movement of Welbeck can really help us, has Wenger been saving this different animal from Giroud to be unleashed against City as we try to secure at least third and a guaranteed Champions League place?

Bob.

Tags Giroud welbeck

24 Comments

  1. I liked the way he explained it very rationally and then said you have to trust me on this. As well as the reason Wenger gave I think there is another reason too, we had more physicality and we needed that against a very determined Norw. Alexis coming off too played into the better physicality, or defensive nous. I thought Alexis decision was the right call and after hearing Wenger along with Danny, Oli, combining for the goal I now think both decisions were correct.

    Another thing I liked yesterday, Wenger apologising to fans about how season turned out. He even highlighted the protesters saying sorry to them most of all. He said he would’ve understood if the stadium had of been awashed with white signs. Wonder how a Simeone or Morinho would have acted with that scenario? I thought it was very decent of Wenger to say he feels their pain. But some smart ass on here would probably say feel my pain, give me eight mil a year and my pain will go away.

    1. @Trevor, we need more rational and well thought out comments like yours instead of hordes of emotional ones

      1. @ Trevor
        Hahaha ?
        I also liked the way that wenger hinted that the new beast will save him millions in the summer transfer window!
        ?

        # Give Wenger a payrise ?

        1. We’ll see Fatboy. I’d be willing to bet with you that a new striker does come in, but I don’t know how the bet could work. Maybe both of us could agree to stay away from commenting in here, for the first two weeks of season, if they lose the bet. If your game I agree to it.

          This is Wengers last season I reckon, he might want to leave it up to the next guy (striker), but I’m sure he’d love to walk away with another present for the fans. So yeah, I see a striker coming in.

          1. Two weeks without making a comment on here? ?
            Nah, That’s far too expensive for me, matey! ?
            But please do show me where I made a prediction of any kind, that prompted you to challenge me? ?
            I only stated a hint from Wenger! ? his bigging up of Welbeck (new beast) with two weeks left of the premier league is a clear indication that Welbeck will be our main striker, next season.

            No one knows for sure, if wenger will leave next season,
            When you consider that wenger in his own words suggested that the Fa cup final win against Hull City, kept him in a job!… So who’s to say that another Cup win next season, won’t gain him another extension?

            Wenger ignored the fan’s crys for a striker in the last summer transfer window and the fan’s were proven right! … so it would be criminal if wenger doesn’t sign a quality striker, But at the same time, I wouldn’t hold my breath on a WC Striker arriving, since Akpom and Dan Crowley will be included in the squad for next season.

            If you want to have a Bet? … Do as i do and Go to the Bookies! ?

            My tips… Chelsea to beat the Spuds tonight and Arsenal will finish 2nd in the league! ?

            1. I didn’t realise you’d take offense to it, I wasn’t being personal or anything it was only meant in a fun type of way. I make little bets with people I know often, it is only harmless fun. I just meant seeing as we don’t know each other we could go a different way about it. Do you never side bet with friends? Again it was only harmless, so no offense mate.

  2. Laughable and Grasping at straws.
    Welbeck did what you expect anyone ( even a pub team striker) to do in front of goal.
    Look for the space, move into it and wait for something to drop or come.
    This is how strikers score most of their goals.
    Giroud does not do this
    Why is he in the starting eleven ?

  3. The best joke today on twitter.

    If wenger takes over as manager of liecester right now, they will come 4th”

    1. I do go to youtube after some games to interact with some Gooners and I’m beginning to realise that all those annoying trolls are sounding very similar to a few well known subscribers to this site. Some of them just bug you, you then ask them have they not got something funnier to worry about like Che relegation battle this season. I’m well used to them by now, thanks to many a fan on this site.

    2. Even if you give him Barcelona, for sure they will finish the race on 4th. The good thing is He can take Sunderland from bottom to 4th as well

  4. i release the beast on the missus at least once a day.

    dont see why he cant do it once a game
    an dont forget city will be jaded after there trip to madrid.

    all we needs a draw then beat villa….an we have third

  5. The idea is to play Giroud along with Welbeck due to his qualities, it increases the chances to score significantly. Sanchez has been struggling also due to accommodation of Iwobi who is practically like Walcott where he can play in one position. Sanchez has to get that left side for himself.

    1. Comparing iwobi with Walcott? You’re giving him too much credit. Walcott I mean.: p

  6. I think Iwobi should go out on loan next season. He’s a great talent but he shouldn’t be starting games for a big side like Arsenal, at least not just yet. For the remaining games of the season, we should persevere with a front three of Welbeck, Giroud and Sanchez. If Chelsea pip Spurs today, who knows we might finish at a higher position than third.

    1. I think Wenger should go so that a new manager can clear out the closet.
      The idea that one player cannot play well unless he is played in a favourite position or played with someone else.

      That is the typical argument on AKBS.
      All those players must be the first to go.
      Ramsey,Wilshere, Theo, Ox, giroud, Flamini are some of these players.
      A true footballer shines whereever he is asked to play.
      Ozil seems to be able to do this effortlessly in spite of the lamp post in front of him.
      Against Barcelona, I saw Messi turn to a left back for a moment, just to bail out his team from pressure.
      He did not get involved in the play, he simply hugged the line and waited for the ball to launch another counterattack

      1. The one overall reason Wenger should definitely not leave at the end of this season and its the question most would ask themselves:Who do we get to replace him?

        When it comes to replacing him with someone who would coach the team better I am sure there are quite a few possibilities that may be available but the main point that I would like to make on this is who would be able to replace him while still attracting/controlling the big players?
        Ozil and Sanchez would have never had joined us if it wasn’t for Wenger and his reputation. Man United had a similar problem with Moyes when he couldn’t even attract Herrera (hardly the biggest name) only for him to sign up the second LVG (a manager with a big reputation) was in charge. Similarly I can’t see Ozil or Sanchez comitting to Arsenal in the summer (Contract wise) if Wenger or a manager of a similar reputation is in charge. Everyone can say what they want about Wenger but it has to be said that he is instrumental in attracting new players, although I can admit having this quality is no good if you aren’t willing to actually buy new players.
        When you look at what managers are available in the summer the only ones that spring to mind are Pellegrini and possibly Blanc and I would prefer another year of Wenger that take the risk with either of those managers despite how good they may be unless we want to try Mourinho but would we really accept him? One wild card is Joachim Loew who would definitely be able to attract players and is out of contract with Germany after the summer but do we want to chance a manager who hasn’t even sampled club football and will be focusing on Germany for the summer rather than Arsenal, also I am not sure what his situation is with the Language barrier.
        But hey Wenger only has a year left on his contact and after that is nothing changes next season he will be gone and at least it will be on his terms and in some way he does deserve that given his service to the club. What he leaves behind though will be decided the end of next season but until then we should gather ourselves to try and believe one more time at least in “Le Proffesseur”

        1. You took the whole page to tell the audience that YOU DON’T KNOW OTHER MANAGERS.

          What are you referring to as BIG PLAYERS? To me, we need ambitions than names. We have Wenger as a BIG named Manager, low in production compared to Spurs’ Pochettino.

          We have French International OG, producing significantly low than Vardy.

          Gooner, believe me, these current Arsenal squad does not worth the name of the club. Players play as if football is just their second interest in this world. I can not find that die hard spirit of those days with the likes of Pires, Lungjberg, Wiltord, Lauren, Lehman, Vieira and Keown.

          These guys should understand that Arsenal is big club, with big history that they must defend. Wenger is no more fit for the job of telling these players about it. We need Diego Simeone type for the job.

          Van Persie left us due to manager’s lack of ambition. We cursed him and called him bad names, but he got his medal, and lifted EPL. Is there any trophy that Fabregas didn’t lift? BIG PLAYERS like to WIN. Finishing fourth will never attract them.

          Today, Wenger is killing Oezil’s luck of becoming someone in World football. Producing assist to the blinds. Is someone else happy to end up like Oezil?

          No man. Wenger failed. Those days, even when we lose a game, we were happy that the quality of our game was promising and entertaining. Look now, living in illusions of the past that we are playing beautiful football which is not true. That went away with Pat Rice and die hard spirit died with Vieira’s departure.

          There are lot of managers out there who will get Arsenal to its name.

          1. You took up as much room as I did and also didn’t give any solution?

            Look I’m only saying that there aren’t any managers available that would want to come to us that are as good or actually better than what we have. Mourinho is the only one available (as much as it pains me to admit it) and he would not come to Arsenal in million years given the history. Gus Hiddink leaving Chelsea would be a possible solution if we could convince him but from what I have read the reason he won’t take our job is the same he didn’t get Chelsea’s, he is retiring.

            I didn’t recommend any for probably the same reason you didn’t – There is nobody available of the quality needed. You mention Diego Simeone and I agree he is the type of manager that I think we need to come in and change things around but he won’t be leaving Atletico anytime soon. So do we risk a manager unproven at this level or do we stick with Wenger?

            I don’t know about you but the devil you know is a lot better than the devil you don’t.

      2. is one overall reason that he should definitely not leave at the end of this season and its the question most would ask themselves:
        Who do we get to replace him?

        When it comes to replacing him with someone who would coach the team better I am sure there are quite a few possibilities that may be available but the main point that I would like to make on this is who would be able to replace him while still attracting/controlling the big players?

        Ozil and Sanchez would have never had joined us if it wasn’t for Wenger and his reputation. Man United had a similar problem with Moyes when he couldn’t even attract Herrera (hardly the biggest name) only for him to sign up the second LVG (a manager with a big reputation) was in charge. Similarly I can’t see Ozil or Sanchez comitting to Arsenal in the summer (Contract wise) if Wenger or a manager of a similar reputation is in charge. Everyone can say what they want about Wenger but it has to be said that he is instrumental in attracting new players, although I can admit having this quality is no good if you aren’t willing to actually buy new players.

        When you look at what managers are available in the summer the only ones that spring to mind are Pellegrini and possibly Blanc and I would prefer another year of Wenger that take the risk with either of those managers despite how good they may be unless we want to try Mourinho but would we really accept him? One wild card is Joachim Loew who would definitely be able to attract players and is out of contract with Germany after the summer but do we want to chance a manager who hasn’t even sampled club football and will be focusing on Germany for the summer rather than Arsenal, also I am not sure what his situation is with the Language barrier.

        But hey Wenger only has a year left on his contact and after that is nothing changes next season he will be gone and at least it will be on his terms and in some way he does deserve that given his service to the club. What he leaves behind though will be decided the end of next season but until then we should gather ourselves to try and believe one more time at least in “Le Proffesseur”

  7. way ot

    that obama mic drop was epic.
    ‘obama out’ * drops mic

    leader of the free world
    u might not agree with his policies but hes too cool

  8. If you look on the physical side of the modern football you can realize that the current arsenal crop is still far from complete.

    Just take a look on the Leicester back4: Dan Simpson, Captain Wes Morgan, Robert Huth and Dan DrinkWater. These guys are hugely physic and quick, Joy to watch them the way they attack and defend in numbers.

    I would like to see some new faces next season who can bring physicality and My Arsenal team of 2016/17 is:

    GK: Petri Chec the main man and bring bac Szezn and Matnez to provide cover. Sell Ospina

    RB: I will stick with Berrellin and bring back Jenkenson to cover him. Sell Dr Burch

    LB: Mon is still very important, him and Berrellin needed to provide necessary fluidity to the wings, so I will stick with him and the injury prone Gibs to cover

    CDs: Here I will bring Captain Morgan to partner with Kosheny. Gabriel and Chambers to cover. Sell Per Meet

    DMs: The physic Le Coq behind and that man Payet, I say Payet, many may prefer Ngolo Kante but for me Payet can offer many than Ngolo, so I gave him the box to box role. Young Elney to cover Le Coq and the injury prone Jack Wilshire and the aged Cazora to cover Payet. Sell Ramsey. I sell him.

    CAM: The genius Mesut Ozil. Young Iwobi to cover him

    Wingers: Buy Rihard Mahrez to shift the wings with Sanchez. Ox and Theo to cover them, so they are not for sale.

    ST: Buy Lewondowsk/Obameyang/Benzema. Welbeck to cover any of them

    Manager: Arsene/Koleman/Semione

    Assistant Manager: Thiery Henry

    Go on have you’re missed trophies

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