Arsenal: Danny Welbeck Exclusion Excuses Running Out

Arsenal will be facing Hull City with a ton of questions to answer for, but a lot can be answered by Danny Welbeck, who needs to be cut lose for once.

It wouldn’t be an Arsenal season if we didn’t end up with far too many questions as the season wound down. This season is more questionable than ever. The futures of Arsene Wenger, Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez are all up in the air and highly questionable.

Related: Arsenal’s Top 15 Strikers Of All Time

Which raises the biggest question – who on this team can help take the team forward through either a massive transition, like if that trio were to leave; or through the doldrums if those three are to remain.

The situations that both scenarios present are kind of similar. Each one needs a paragon, if you will, someone to, as mentioned, take the team forward.

This renewed sense of optimism around Danny Welbeck is not misplaced. I always worry about putting too much pressure on one guy because it’s hard to live up to those expectations. But Welbeck is different.

If anyone can handle that pressure and those expectations, it is the guy who has arguably the most dominant athletic abilities on the team.

Which raises the big question as to why Welbeck isn’t being utilized. And there have been a surprising amount of excuses.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

Worries about his health made sense when he first returned… a month ago. Feelings of loyalty to Alexis and Giroud made sense… when they were enough to drive this team forward. But both of those excuses have collapsed. Giroud had his return to earth and Alexis has never looked rustier at striker than he did against Chelsea.

Refusing to start Danny Welbeck is no longer a defensible action. This team has flatlined with the same crew doing the same thing. They’ve fallen short again.

Taking a chance or two shakes things up, but with Welbeck, it’s hardly even taking a chance. From the small sample that we’ve seen since his return, Welbeck has improved in his down time. His confidence was insane and his coolness in front of goal was unmatched.

It’s time to let Welbeck take the mantle as the go-to striker. His blend of strength and speed is like a blend of Giroud and Alexis, which will hopefully bring about more consistency at the position than either of the other two options was able to do on their own.

Next: Arsenal's 30 Greatest Players Ever

Cut him loose. Seriously, that is there to lose?

Home/Arsenal News