Arsenal: Danny Welbeck, Alexis Sanchez mix up a nightmare

Arsenal has been having trouble lately in some very nontraditional ways. Accidentally showing Danny Welbeck as No. 7 is borderline terrifying.

Arsenal’s release of their new 2017/18 home kits probably couldn’t have gone much worse. As usual, we already knew what they were going to look like due to leaks that emerged months ago. But that wasn’t where the trouble began.

The trouble began from this cringe-worthy announcement that still gives me the chills (in a bad way. The worst way). How this got approved is simply beyond me. But overall, this doesn’t affect the club at all.

What does is the second mishap that came from this occasion. The official club shop had both Danny Welbeck and Alexis Sanchez listed as owners of the No. 7 shirt, which is as close as I ever want to get to Welbeck replacing Alexis. And even this was far too close.

Don’t get me wrong, I love Danny Welbeck. The dude is a fan favorite for a reason. He is a veritable stallion and someone that was worth the price of admission. Sure, maybe he doesn’t score enough goals, or consistent enough goals, but his work ethic alone, coupled with his mix of strength and speed, is enough to merit a place with the Arsenal first team.

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It’s not that that gave me pause when considering Welbeck taking over Alexis’s number. It’s the concept of replacing the most important player on the team with someone who has struggled to maintain a place in the starting XI.

That, and the fact that it wouldn’t be the most unbelievable thing, given how Arsene Wenger can sometimes be a bit unconventional.

Obviously it was nothing more than a simple mistake, but let it serve as an all-too-obvious reminder that no one that the Gunners currently have can replicate what Alexis does for this team. Welbeck may have similar work rate or similar athleticism, and type-for-type, he may be one of the closest to the Chilean. But Alexis is so much more than that.

Which is why the wait is so painful. And why should-be non-stories like this raid the headlines. The club seems to be in a painful pause while everyone waits for the club and the Chilean to sit down and talk out their long term future – if their even is one.

Next: Arsenal's Potential 2017/18 Starting XI Without Ozil, Alexis

In the meantime, the kits look great, Danny Welbeck is still a beast, and next year is a clean slate.

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