Arsenal: Danny Welbeck Verdict Delivers Added Meaning

Arsenal witnessed a truly magnificent display from Danny Welbeck in his return from injury and Arsene Wenger’s verdict on the matter only adds to the mystique.

I really don’t think we can say enough about what Danny Welbeck was able to do in his hour plus of game time against Southampton. He broke the ice for Arsenal, scored another and then chipped in an assist as well.

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Basically, he showed no weakness. He didn’t look to have missed a beat. And I don’t think this needs stating, but when you’ve been out for a year, that is a massive achievement. Even for someone as physically fit and athletic as Welbeck, who damn well may be Alexis’s physical equal (there, I said it).

There isn’t much else you can say to shed more amazement on what Welbeck did, but Wenger has managed to find one of those things.

‘I didn’t expect him at that level,’ Le Prof said, as quoted by the Metro. “I knew that he worked hard but you never know how that will transfer into a competitive game. It was great to see he hasn’t lost his runs, he hasn’t lost his finishing. It shows when you are able to transform that frustration of not playing into efficiency, that’s a special guy.”

Arsene Wenger has been around the game his entire life. He has coached some of the best players in the world and knows what he can expect from just about anyone in any given circumstance.

The fact that he was surprised by Welbeck means a lot. This isn’t something he just idly says for the hell of it. He meant it.

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It reminds me of when Wenger remarked about Reine-Adelaide that he didn’t play like any 17 year old he’s ever known. Say what you will about Wenger, but the man knows football. Plain and simple. To surprise him is to do something special.

Danny Welbeck showed fantastic confidence and composure in the face of pretty daunting odds. Playing at St. Mary’s against a team that notoriously plagues the Gunners without either team having their best XI out there.

Not only that, but he got the Gunners out to a fast start, scoring right at the quarter hour mark.

So many times we have to wait and wait for the Gunners to break out but Danny Welbeck wasted no time. He also wasted no chances. Of his three shots, two were on target. Those two were goals. He created one chance. It was an assist.

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That is pretty special.