Alexandre Lacazette must be kicking himself for being injured just as Arsenal’s two Europa League ties against AC Milan arrived, as these would have been his best chance to show Arsene Wenger that he can still score many goals on demand.
He would have definitely been picked because Aubameyang is (unfairly) disqualified from playing in this competition, and instead we have had to rely on our only other definitive centre-forward Danny Welbeck who has hardly been impressive lately.
But other than the striking department, Wenger has a full complement of players available. Koscielny and Ramsey were rested for the Watford game so should be feeling fresh for tonight, while Bellerin had a knee injury. Both Mesut Ozil and Shkrodan Mustafi picked up problems during the Watford match but according to Wenger, everyone has now recovered. The Boss said today: “Basically, some players had a test this morning. Everybody’s available apart from Lacazette who is coming back into training, but is too short to be available for tomorrow.”
This is great news for the run-in to the end of the season and our assault on the Europa League, and we will also have Lacazette back as well for our next match. Wenger said: “Yes, he’s on track. He had a full session outside today and should be available after the break.”
Surely this is good news for the Gunners?
Full Arsenal squad to face AC Milan: Ospina, Cech, Bellerin, Koscielny, Mustafi, Mertesacker, Chambers, Holding, Kolasinac, Maitland-Niles, Xhaka, Ramsey, Elneny, Willock, Wilshere, Welbeck, Mkhitaryan, Ozil, Nketiah, Iwobi, Nelson.
Sam P
Good news, but Welbeck is far from being useless as a striker
Arsenal would not be able to defeat Chelsea at the FA Cup 2017 Final, if Welbeck did not disrupt their defenders with his tireless runs and pressures
The same thing happened at the Community Shield, Arsenal would not get it without Welbeck’s hardwork
And I don’t think Arsenal could trash AC Milan at San Siro, if Welbeck did not work hard to pressurize their players
His instinct and skills might not be top level as a striker, but he helped the others a lot with his energy and unselfishness. If he does not play as a striker, maybe he can be a strong competitor for Bellerin
Exactly…hes just a little inconsistent with the finishing…..potentially due to constant injuries…hence a big dip in confidence and morale…..
Its good that Lacazette return….most team have at least 2 quality scorers……
Now we can have a plan B or 2 quality strikers to rotate
Look up the definition of a striker and you may get a second idea. As a striker with what you expect from your striker yes he is almost useless in that regard. He has uses but not the type that’s good enough for an Arsenal lone striking position, even though he has scraped by up there once or twice with some bungling and bobbling qualities. When we want to be difficult to play against that is his forte, by hook or by crook he can be a stubborn obstacle.
Welbeck should now be used as a Left Back / Winger and Not as a Forward. This is the Ideal position for his future at Arsenal.
The ideal position for Welbz is on the transfer list. Come on Danny – please prove me wrong tonight!
In all those games you mentioned, did danny give any assist or a killer pass?
Wakeup dude!
Welbeck is not the type of player we need!
He might not create any assist or a killer pass, but he showed the other attackers (and midfielders) what they should have done as the first barrier of defense
If you watched Barcelona vs Chelsea last night, all Barcelona attackers, including Messi, worked hard to retrieve the ball and pressurize their opponents. Their attackers are also their first defenders and their defenders are their first attackers, hence they are able to build the attack from the back
In Arsenal, not everybody does that and we need more attackers/ midfielders with Welbeck’s work ethic, if Arsenal were to challenge for the Europa League this season
exactly…we need player like him as back up tooo
no world class players will be willing to sit on the bench without regular games….unless hes paid 200k and above
I see the ‘gotnoidea and ‘Ibrahim’ double act is in in full swing again. Hope Welbeck proves me wrong but I think he’s useless. And hope the aforementioned double act can each find a girlfriend.
Yeah, Welbeck knows he’s trash at all the important attributes a striker needs at the top level (touch under pressure, composure in front of goal, ability to stand on two feet etc). However, he always does his best and makes up for these inadequacies through his pressing, pace and hard work rate. Obviously Welbeck shouldn’t be classed as a footballer, but his athletic skills are immense.
If Dortmund exits today, Aubameyang then becomes eligible to play Europa
he wont be able to play at all because the squad list was submitted at the end of the Transfer window and he cant be added to the list now
Really? thanks for this info Bryden.
I didn’t know that either. Hope Dortmund exists then lol…
Come on Arsenal!! Finish it off please ?
My thoughts on Welbeck is that he is a lovely and modest lad, ideal husband material if your want to wed your daughter. Likeable in the extreme. But as a top level footballer he is just a willing workhorse, without the inate skill, timing or finishing skills to cut it at the level we need. I find these “he should be a fullback ” comments naive and, frankly, laughable. Welbeck is NOT the answer, which is why when he plays as striker, we have huge problems up front. Likeability is not the same as being good enough. If it were I would want David Attenborough, Lenny Henry and Joanna Lumley in our team. Get real, certain people on here.
I seen some article were a young-one was saying he is not at all like the person in front of the camera. She was trying to get a picture taking or something and she said he is full of himself and really arrogant, not down to earth like everyone believes. He was supposed to have insulted her after she turned down his advances. Could be bs and the other way around how it really happened, or just selling a story to the papers, but when they showed Danny wearing super flashy gear he did look the part I have to say.