Arsenal: Danny Welbeck Thierry Henry comparison only short-term truth

Martin Keown has compared Danny Welbeck’s FA Cup final performance to that of Thierry Henry. The comparison, though, is only a short-term truth.

Arsenal were magnificent in the FA Cup final. Not only did they win their third trophy in four years, but they outplayed the Premier League champions in emphatic fashion, unravelling their defensive shape and dominating their offensive weapons.

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What was especially potent about the Gunners’ performance was the consistency and regularity in which they were able to find Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil in between the lines, with the duo receiving the ball on the half-turn, in behind the Chelsea midfield with the ability to drive at the exposed back three.

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That was possible because of the presence of Danny Welbeck. The threat he offered in behind meant that none the Chelsea defenders wanted to press up and close down either Ozil or Sanchez, knowing that the space that they vacated could have been exploited by the pace of Welbeck. And the striker did continue to threaten when he was able to stretch David Luiz and Cesar Azpilicueta into the channels. He was excellent.

Martin Keown is one who highlighted Welbeck’s prominence, revealing that he told him after the match that he compared his display to those of his former teammate, Thierry Henry. In his piece for the Daily Mail, Keown stated:

"“‘I said to Danny Welbeck afterwards that at times he reminded me of Thierry Henry. He was too quick for Chelsea and kept stretching David Luiz into those channels. Welbeck gave Arsenal extra energy in both directions.”"

The comparison, for that singular performance, is an accurate one. While he did not ripple the net himself, he ran the Chelsea defence ragged for much of the game. His pace and his athleticism were a major issue; space was created for others purely through his presence. But, and it is a key but, the difference between a Welbeck and a Henry is consistency and regularity.

Henry put in the type of performance that Welbeck did in the FA Cup final week in and week out. Welbeck, meanwhile, puts in this type of performance once or twice a year. If he is to establish himself as Arsenal’s starting striker for a number of games, then he must perform as he did in the FA Cup final regularly.

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The comparison, while fair for the one-off game, is not for the long-term, and Welbeck will have to work hard if he is to ever try and replicate even a semblance of the wonders of Thierry Henry.