Arsenal Vs Spurs: Danny Welbeck return unleashes pace

Danny Welbeck has returned to training and is set to be available for Saturday’s North London derby. His return brings an element of pace that Arsenal could exploit.

The North London derby is here and Arsenal are in need of a good result. After a predictably lacking loss to Manchester City before the international break, the Gunners have now slipped into sixth position, find themselves 12 points off the title pace, and are four points behind their local rivals of Saturday’s crucial fixture.

Related Story: Arsenal: 30 greatest players in history

Tottenham Hotspur have been in improving form in recent weeks. Although they fell to a typically stubborn Manchester United, such disappointments were countered with a remarkable 3-1 win against Real Madrid. And they have won four of their last five games, the only blemish being the loss at Old Trafford, driving their rise up to third in the table.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

• 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
• Mikel Arteta provides Gabriel Martinelli injury update after Everton win

North London derbies are not like they used to be. Arsene Wenger enjoyed such a relentless record. Spurs are a much more resilient side with a far greater cutting-edge quality to handle the threat that Arsenal pose. Proof of that came last season, where they were the superior of the two North London sides for the first time in Wenger’s tenure.

And yet, they are a hurdle that Arsenal must find a way to overcome. But that will not be easy. In fact, unlike more routine Premier League games, Wenger’s side will have to adapt their approach. It is far less likely that they will dominate possession, as they are accustomed to, and, like in more recent North London derbies, they may choose to play a more counter-attacking style.

Such a strategy has yielded success in the past. It has also seen opposing teams settle into their rhythm and suffocate the life out of the game, restricting any time and space that Arsenal have to play their notoriously pretty, but sometimes purposeless, football.

To counter with threat and impact, it is essential that there is a pacy outlet. Against Manchester City, Wenger shifted Alexis Sanchez into a central striking role to try and provide that. It did not work. He was isolated, the service was little more than hoofed clearances, and the City centre-halves were able to overpower him as he struggled to control difficult passes into him.

Danny Welbeck provides a far more direct and physical outlet on the break. And his absence has been felt. Wenger likes to use Welbeck against the better sides in the Premier League because of his selfless work ethic, his defensive willingness, and his blend of physical power, intelligent movement, and athletic dribbling on the counter-attack. So his return to full training this week is very good news indeed.

Next: Arsenal: 3 reasons to love Wilfried Zaha solution

The element of pace that his presence brings will create problems for Spurs. Only, perhaps, Theo Walcott can replicate that impact. And his lack of quality in the final third and defensive lapses mean it is difficult to trust him. But Welbeck is a player that Wenger does trust. His return should not be overlooked. He could yet play a major part in what is a worryingly difficult derby.