Arsenal Vs Bournemouth: Danny Welbeck the perfect foil

Danny Welbeck was Arsenal’s most potent attacker against Bournemouth on Saturday. He provides the perfect foil for Arsene Wenger to use as depth and variety to Alexandre Lacazette, Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil.

That was an extremely efficient performance from Arsenal. Although Bournemouth were extremely poor, lacking any semblance of energy or intensity, making simple defensive errors with lackadaisical positioning and a failure to track midfield runs, the Gunners should be praised for their ruthless work in the final third.

The 3-0 scoreline was indicative of the game; it was domination from the hosts, who improved as the match progressed, playing with great confidence and variety in midfield, fizzing passes through the thirds, engineering angles and pockets of space, and, ultimately, creating a great number of chances and opportunities.

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However, their most potent and direct attacker on the day may not have been the one that most would have expected. Rather than Alexandre Lacazette, who did score a beautiful goal and was extremely impressive, or Mesut Ozil or Aaron Ramsey, who did play a part in a fluid and dynamic midfield display, it was the pace and the running of Danny Welbeck that caused the most problems.

With a relentless willingness to press high up the pitch and run the channels, Welbeck created space for himself when he dropped deeper and received the ball to feet, linking-up play with an improving first touch and subtlety. It was Welbeck who broke the deadlock, with a fortunate header that deflected off his own shoulder and bounded past a stranded Asmir Begovic. But his second goal showcased the threat that he does pose.

Aaron Ramsey broke forwards from midfield, driving at an exposed Bournemouth defence, and Welbeck’s movement was simple but effective, understanding the situation perfectly.

With Lacazette to the right of Ramsey, all Welbeck had to do was continually drift to his left, stretching the Bournemouth defenders horizontally, ensuring that there was plenty of space for Ramsey to play a ball into with options either side of him. It was Welbeck who indeed received the pass, sliding a lovely first-time finish past Begovic and into the far corner.

What Welbeck offers Arsene Wenger is the perfect foil. It would be expected that Alexis Sanchez, Lacazette and Mesut Ozil make-up the front three positions. Realistically, there is no room for Welbeck. But because of his athleticism, his work rate and his versatility, he is the perfect alternative to any. He can play across the front line with great variety and offers another option if brought on late in games with his pace.

Next: Arsenal Vs Bournemouth: 5 things we learned

It is lovely to see Welbeck fit and firing again. He is a unique threat that will benefit Arsenal greatly throughout the year. It will be extremely interesting to see how Wenger uses him this season.

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