Arsenal: Danny Welbeck exit kind of an inevitable ending

Arsenal look to be allowing Danny Welbeck to leave on a free at the end of the year, which, in the end, is kind of an inevitable way for this all to play out.

Arsenal have seen the best of Danny Welbeck in very small quantities, ever since he arrived. The main reason it has been in such small quantities is because of various injuries that have littered his attempts to be the top-tier player he was always destined to be.

The most recent is also the most tragic. After hitting his stride yet again, he suffered a horror ankle break that will see him out likely for the duration of the year, at which point his contract will have run its course and he will be allowed to leave.

There were many, myself included, who were pressing for Welbeck to get a new deal, given the effort that he is always good for, and the fact that he was yet again in fantastic form before going down with the injury.

But it appears now, based on reports from SkySports, that our cries for a new contract will go unanswered by the club.

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Which shouldn’t be that surprising. Not when you look at the current trend of the club. If this was still Arsene Wenger’s club, I have little doubts that Welbeck would get a new deal, but Unai Emery’s era has two major, defining characteristics – a push towards getting younger and governing based on practicality, not emotion.

Both of those characteristics nix any potential of Welbeck getting a new deal.

Hell, one alone would nix any potential of a deal. Think about what his presence keeps out of the first team – Eddie Nketiah and Reiss Nelson. Both of whom have tremendous potential, the latter of whom could come back right this instant and be superb, the former of whom really needs a bigger opportunity, which now appears to be coming in Welbeck’s absence.

The presence of those two along makes keeping Welbeck impractical for the long-haul. Why pay someone that you don’t need to pay?

Which takes us into the practicality side of things. Giving Welbeck a new contract would be a decision based 100% on emotion. Sure, he would have some use when he got healthy, he always does, but if that use can be found in young players with greater potential? Well, that’s a lot more practical.

It’s sad, to think that Welbeck is on his way out, especially in this fashion. It’s similar to Santi Cazorla’s exit from the Emirates, which felt incredibly unfulfilling. But in the end, it’s what’s best for the club. Same as Cazorla.