With rumors linking the club with players like Aubameyang and Vidal, it will surely put many squad members on notice. Danny Welbeck may not be hearing the warning bell yet but he would surely be thinking about the possibilities.
When Welbeck moved from Manchester United to Arsenal, it surprised many people. Fans, ex-players and his team mates expressed sadness in various degrees of surprise. United ex-player Gary Neville even went to the extent of slamming the decision to sell Welbeck to one of the ‘title challenging competitors’.
It is another matter that United fell apart and could never really challenge for EPL trophy. Welbeck and Arsenal went on to give a tough fight to Chelsea till the very end. But, this is not what Welbeck joined the club for. He would dearly love to win trophies.
He scored eight times in his debut season. This includes a memorable winner in the FA cup quarter final against former club United. The goal must have answered all his critics and also vindicated his stand that he has got many years at the top.
Injury has plagued his season, however. And once Olivier Giroud returned from injury, the central striker role went back to the French man. It is no secret that Welbeck left United to play in a more central role than on the wings.
Wenger knows that the value of Welbeck is much more than goals. His ability to bring the strikers into play, keep the defenders glued to him and run past defenders easily makes Welbeck an asset every manager craves for.
But, the jury is still out on Welbeck. His first season is not an entirely disappointing one. Goals may not have come to the extent expected but stranger things have happened to much more established players.
May not be a right comparison but even Gareth Bale struggled for goals at Real Madrid. For many, Welbeck is the most underrated player in the entire Premier League.
Now with the talk of a new striker being the target, should that put Welbeck on notice? Not exactly; because being linked to a striker is like daily breakfast for Gunners. And even if a striker is signed, it would only mean healthy competition for places.
But, Welbeck has to prove that he is worth the money Wenger splashed. If he can add a bit of goals to his work rate, it would make him an indispensable figure in the squad. This could be the year for Welbeck to prove his naysayers wrong.
Sridhar