Danny Welbeck has come off his long injury and injected a much-needed goal scoring threat into this Arsenal side. With the likes of Olivier Giroud, Theo Walcott, and even Alexis Sanchez struggling to find the net lately, Welbeck’s good form comes at the perfect time for Arsene Wenger. The England international was deployed to lead the line against Barcelona and always looked dangerous, he once again started up top against Everton just days later and scored a fine first goal. He came on in the FA cup against Watford, scored one and should have scored another. Bottom line, when Welbeck is in the team, Arsenal click. His new-found good form, while personally satisfying, is also a huge positive for the rest of the team, especially Oliver Giroud and Mesut Ozil, as they bid to catch both Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur in the chase for the title.
With Welbeck’s good form, Giroud is set for a decent period of coming off the bench, how could this be good for him? The Frenchman has been struggling of late and his place on the bench should not surprise him, but Welbeck’s good form is, in fact, beneficial for him. Similar to earlier in the season when Walcott was getting a run of games in the team, Giroud came on late in games and had a huge impact, often scoring. With Welbeck’s run in the team, it is possible that the situation can replicate itself. The Frenchman is often more effective late in matches when opposition defences tire. That mean more space for Giroud to link up as well as tired centre backs who he can out muscle and out jump for headers in the box. Welbeck’s ability to stretch opposing centre backs will be extremely helpful for Giroud when he comes on late in games. While personally it seems negative for Giroud to spend some time coming off the bench, it is possible that it could reinvigorate the French international both through competition and giving him ideal situations to excel.
Another player that will greatly benefit from Welbeck’s good run of form is Ozil. The German playmaker has suffered from a severe lack of finishing from the strike force. Often times Ozil plays wonderful, incisive balls only to see them wasted. Given Welbeck is not the most clinical finisher in the world, he has been able to find the goal of late. This will give the 27-year-old a huge morale boost. In addition, Welbeck’s style of play is a bit more suited to the germans. His pace allows the magician to thread balls in behind and the Englishman’s impressive one-touch finishing ability allows Ozil to ping balls in. Finally, Welbeck’s tendency to drive centre backs towards their own goal opens up acres of the pitch for Ozil to work in. This increased area in the middle of park can allow the already terrific Ozil to drive at defences and pick even more incisive passes.
Welbeck’s good form is very important to the whole team, especially Ozil and Giroud. Arsene Wenger will hope the Englishman can stay at this exact level if Arsenal are to have any chance at the title in the final weeks.
