Arsene Wenger rolled out one of his well known phrases when talking recently about the imminent comeback from injury of the Arsenal and England international star Danny Welbeck. But not only did the Frenchman say that having Welbeck fit again would be like Arsenal signing a new player, he also suggested that because of the amount of time the 26-year old has spent in the treatment room it would be almost like the start of a new career for the striker.
Welbeckâs Arsenal career, like a few other players in recent years, has been dogged by injury. His first season with us was cut short not long after scoring the winner against his former club Manchester United in the FA cup, meaning that he missed the rest of the campaign and our Wembley triumph.
His return was then put back and put back and although he did return in February of that season he did not make it to the end and only just returned to Arsenal training this week. All this time out of the game will have some fans wondering whether he will be able to pick up where he left off but I think his return could be a big boost for us.
Do not forget that the last time he returned from a long spell on the sidelines he marked his comeback game with a late headed winner against Leicester City. He also scored in his first start and managed four in just 11 EPL games before the next injury.
So Welbeck has come back with a bang before and I think all this time out will have made him even more determined to shine when he is out on the pitch again. Danny has plenty of talent and a lot of versatility to go with it and I reckon he could be a big player for the Gunners in the second half of this season.
How big an impact do you think his return will have?
Bob.