Arsenal Vs Crystal Palace: Danny Welbeck Time?

ST ALBANS, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 28: Danny Welbeck of Arsenal during a training session at London Colney on December 28, 2016 in St Albans, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
ST ALBANS, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 28: Danny Welbeck of Arsenal during a training session at London Colney on December 28, 2016 in St Albans, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) /
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Danny Welbeck is back in full training after a year on the sidelines. Could Arsenal’s New Year Day tie with Crystal Palace be his time to shine?

Welcoming players back from injury is always a joyous occasion. Like when a new signing comes to town or a formerly gifted player rediscovers his form, it can rejuvenate and reignite a team to great success. Arsenal will be hoping for such a positive influence this January.

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Like seemingly every year, the Gunners had to deal with a host of long-term injuries to many of their more established players last year. The likes of Santi Cazorla, Theo Walcott and Alexis Sanchez all missed extended periods due to their respective fitness concerns at various times in the year.

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Perhaps no injury was as curtailing and detrimental, though, as Danny Welbeck’s. The English forward was enjoying a rich vein form in the latter half of last season, scoring late winners against Leicester City, most notably, and leading the line with a wonderfully threatening blend of pace and athleticism.

However, late in the 2-2 draw with Manchester City in early May, Welbeck suffered a major knee injury, damaging his cartilage, keeping him out of action up til this moment. Nonetheless, over the festive period, Welbeck has tentatively made a return to training such that this week, he is back with the squad, training in full with Wenger even claiming that he looks “sharp”.

So, with Sunday’s home tie with Crystal Palace on the horizon, could that mean that it’s finally Danny Welbeck time?

Arsene Wenger will be cautious in rushing the centre-forward back. Push him too hard and risk the consequences of yet another long-term absence with a relapse of his knee issues. However, if he is looking sharp in training, he does boast the pedigree to bring a spark to the Arsenal attack, especially off the bench, late in games.

Welbeck will certainly not start on Sunday. With Sanchez and Olivier Giroud also available for selection in the squad, Wenger is not short on attacking options, particularly when the plethora of wide players are incorporated, the likes of Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, two are enjoying the best seasons of their careers thus far.

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Nonetheless, another option, an option who brings a unique physical threat with great pace and power, a wonderful combination of aerial skill and the ability to spin in behind, is never a bad thing as Arsenal look to keep pace with Chelsea in the latter half of the season.