We have heard today from Arsene Wenger that Arsenal striker Danny Welbeck will soon be returning to the early stages of his initial first team training. According to Le Prof, the club has an insight for the player to make his first appearance of the season at some point in January, which will be coming up close to almost a year out of professional football.
The English forward was making quite an impact on his return from injury last season. He scored that last minute winner against soon to be Champions Leicester City, which at the time we felt was all so important in our own late title charge. Unfortunately for the Gunners however, as soon as we got the powerful frontman back, it seemed he was soon taken away from us through injury once again. Welbeck suffered a second serious knee injury in as many years and it’s generally feared that injuries are becoming a consistent issue for the former Manchester United striker.
Wenger is confident on Welbeck’s progress and expects him back in January, with two months preparation in training for his return to the Premier League. Wenger said: “He is ahead of schedule and could be back in January. After that let’s not forget he was out for a year, and to get him back to competitive level will take two months. He will be out to start running in two weeks.”
Welbeck was of course originally brought in to challenge Olivier Giroud for the main striker spot at Arsenal, however since his signing, plenty has changed in North London. Although Giroud is generally still considered as the club’s main striker (with Alexis primarily a converted winger), Welbeck also has to battle against the re-positioned Alexis, the competition from Lucas Perez and of course the form of Theo Walcott and Alex Iwobi on the wings. In my opinion it’s going to be difficult for Welbeck to get back into this Arsenal side when he does finally make his return to fitness. We are already seeing how hard it is for new signing Lucas Perez to get into the starting eleven, whilst Giroud is nowhere to be seen, so if everyone’s stays on form the way that they are, then Welbeck could find his opportunities very limited.
I feel that if Welbeck suffers another injury soon after he returns to the pitch this time around, then we could find ourselves in a similar situation to that of Jack Wilshere. Wilshere has of course been loaned out in order to obtain more playing time and to focus on building his fitness away from Arsenal. Welbeck could soon be seen in the same light, however I’m not sure if the Gunners would consider the same approach with the frontman as they have done with Welbeck’s English compatriot.
I’m sure we all wish Welbeck luck with the last bits of his return to first team training and hopefully we’ll get to see plenty of the frontman after the turn of the new year!
By AH
Of course he does
He is still young and has time to improve
Giroud is 30 years old and Perez is 28 years old and Perez may end up playing on the left or Welbeck can play on left also
He will get a chance
Dont wanna sound like a party pooper but Perez is like 2 years older than Welbeck, so Danny ain’t no spring chicken anymore.
However, he still offers something to squad depth so he will be a welcome sight once he returns!
Welbeck will play. All our presently firing forwards will not fire all through the season.
Welbeck is way better then giroud, and way better in every aspect on the wing then the ox and I would also say Theo. His work rate is at the sanchez level, he is fast beats players is superb defensively he 100% when fit starts or is on bench no questions about it.
I also feel under the current system being played he would flurish don’t get me wrong he’s not the most clinical but a big game player he most certainly is.
The correct answer is…….. it all depends.
If Perez, Giroud, Alexsis and Walcott are all healthy and in top form…. then there is a problem.
If Giroud and Walcott are injured, if Perez cannot score, and if Alexsis is needed on the wing then suddenly Welbeck will be badly needed.
It just all depends.
Wellbeck would get his chance by next year,I don’t hope any injury as a reason for that,I pray its based on rotation. OT: I don’t really buy this Giroud “toe injury” Giroud must have said or done something after that PSG match that made wenger sort of loose interest in him,even in press conferences he hardly dwells more on Giroud’s injury on like other injured players. Toe injury doesn’t take more than two weeks,it can’t be fitness issue because OG has played some competitive matches already this season.