Arsenal: Danny Welbeck the fresh take to Alexis Sanchez’s old news

Arsenal probably should have sold Alexis Sanchez when they had the chance, because this new direction is much better suited for Danny Welbeck.

Arsenal seemed to be spinning gold out of their bum with the massive success Danny Welbeck was finding early on in the season, but it looks like there may have been a plan all along. As in, Arsene Wenger wasn’t just using the Englishman to fill in for the injured Alexis Sanchez.

Related Story: 3 Improvements Jack Wilshere Has Made

Arsenal used to be built on this foundation of artistic expression and nifty footwork, while playing attractive attacking football. It created some truly marvelous goals, and continues to be a big piece of who they are today, but they look to be evolving.

With Sead Kolasinac as the biggest building block of this new concept of the squad, they now look to be build around athleticism, effort and movement. With much less focus on personal brilliance and dazzling spectacles.

Which adds a bit of intrigue to the Alexis Sanchez situation, because Alexis, for as brilliant as he is, is more so known for his own individualistic approach to attacking, rather than his movement off the ball. He is more likely to drop back to receive the ball and infiltrate on his own than he is to let his team mate stay in control and find a running lane.

And that is why I could not help but agree emphatically with what Charlie Nicholas had to say about why Welbeck should continue to be preferred over Alexis. It sounds crazy but it couldn’t be more spot on.

Here’s what he had to say when asked if Welbeck is preferred (via SkySports):

More from Pain in the Arsenal

• 3 observations from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
• 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
• 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
• Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
• 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park

"Yes he is because of his pace and his movement. He’s not the most natural finisher, and he will frustrate the life out of a lot of people but he stretches defences with his pace and movement every day of the week."

He went on:

"That’s why he played him at Chelsea. There was a reason behind it. He scored two goals the previous weekend and his pace and movement helped Alexandre Lacazette, who is a proven No 9. We just don’t know how committed Sanchez is since his move to Manchester City collapsed."

Again, I could not agree with this anymore, and he really has hit the nail on the head. In the current state of the club, having someone like Alexis, who takes the ball, stops play and attempts to go at it alone, is not conducive.

Not when you have fliers like Hector Bellerin and Sead Kolasinac marauding the flanks. Not when you have the undying effort of Welbeck and Aaron Ramsey jabbing at the defense. You don’t need that individuality because it puts a damper on the enthusiasm of that quick, emphatic attacking.

Next: 5 Things Learned Against Doncaster Rovers

If you want to take it a step farther, you could even argue that Alexis is best suited for super sub duties at this point, because his habit of stopping play altogether sucks the life out of the attack. It certainly felt that way against Doncaster Rovers.