When Arsenal signed Danny Welbeck from Manchester United on deadline day of the summer transfer window in 2014, the fallout was swift but unexpected. While the reaction of most Arsenal fans (including yours truly) was that of bitter disappointment, the majority of Manchester United fans were furious that ‘one of their own’ Danny Welbeck would join a direct rival and that too for just £16m.
Four years later, I must admit I am conflicted about Danny ‘Welbeast’ Welbeck leaving. Yes, he is not as clinical as Aubameyang or as skilful as Lacazette, but there is something about him. While it’s easy to understand what greats like Sir Alex Ferguson or Arsene Wenger see in the English forward like work rate and attitude; it is not those qualities that gradually endeared him to me. It was his uncanny ability to open up space for the midfield players behind him that finally did the trick. While his finishing was never great, neither Sir Alex Ferguson or Arsene Wenger did Welbeck any favours when it came to establishing himself as a striker. His versatility and putting in a shift in the wings meant he hardly ever got the chance to play as the sole target man for decent stretches of the season.
Linked With Everton But Does Silva Need A Forward?
The Sun claims that the new Arsenal manager Unai Emery has told Danny Welbeck that he would not be a part of the first team setup and could leave before the transfer window ends. This report names Everton as one of the interested parties for the services of the 27-year-old.
While not claiming to be an expert on Everton’s problems, it is very apparent that the bulk of their issues lie in scoring goals. Wayne Rooney was the highest scorer for the Toffees with 11 goals, and he was not even a regular for the side in the second half of the season. The other forwards; Niasse, Calvert-Lewin and Tosun all scored below 10.
We are purposefully not even going to waste column space on Sandro, whose pre-season performance makes it very likely that he would leave Everton before the transfer window ends.
All in all, while we can say that Tosun will be better in his second season for Everton, Silva needs someone who can lead the line.
Is Danny Welbeck the answer though?
Everton fans, at this point of the article, would be more than justified in questioning the premise of this article. After all, the heading claims that Welbeck can potentially transform the season for the Blues. If his finishing is not extraordinary, how does it solve Everton’s problems? Bear with me for a moment as I try to answer this.
First, as mentioned earlier, he was never given a chance to start as a forward for long stretches of the season. His finishing is decent, and I suspect if given the time to adjust playing as an out and out striker, he will do wonders at Everton. Speaking about finishing, the Champions League match against Galatasaray where ‘Welbeast’ went on to score a brilliant hattrick comes to mind.
Even more importantly, he will be a brilliant outlet for players like Theo Walcott (with whom Welbeck has played many times before at Arsenal), Richarlison and Gylfi Sigurdsson. His presence and runs are all that is required for players like Walcott or Richarlison to make a mark in a game.
While this comparison might make some Arsenal fans unhappy, I would say that Welbeck could very well be what Olivier Giroud was for Arsenal for the last three seasons. While personally not spectacular and often the target for unfair criticisms, he was one of the main reason why players like Aaron Ramsey, Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil got so much of the plaudits and fame.
Everton would do well if they can convince Danny Welbeck to join them. It could very well be a gamechanger for Everton’s season.
