When I heard Arsenal might offload Danny Welbeck, I was, to put it mildly, relieved. Then in the very same week, it was rumoured that Arsenal CEO, Ivan Gazidis, was being sounded out by AC Milan, I had to pinch myself, it felt like Christmas had come early.
Gazidis is highly unlikely to leave, unfortunately, he appears to be looking at a lasting association with the North London club, which is deeply annoying, having allowed Arsenal to go into decline for so long.
I digress, let’s get back to Danny Welbeck’s proposed departure from Arsenal to Everton, which was disclosed by Mirror. The report states that the English forward is attracting interest from Everton. Daily Mail, claimed a few days back that Welbeck could leave the club this summer.
The former United man is a dedicated professional and by all accounts, is an extremely likable lad but he has never really made his mark for the club. Striker? Winger? Squad player? No one is really sure and that includes Welbeck himself.
Welbeck was a last minute Wenger purchase in 2014 for £16 million and it is safe to say, his arrival came as a surprise to many. It had all the classic hallmarks of a Wenger panic deal, remember Yossi Benayoun’s loan deal in 2011, and even worse, Kim Kallstrom, complete with a back injury in 2014.
The 27-year-old was surplus to requirements at Manchesbecause,d because , then Manager, Louis Van Gaal, thought he needed too many opportunities to score and squandered the majority of opportunities he was presented with. At the time, van Gaal came in for a lot of criticism for the sale but, allowing for periods of injury, Welbeck has vindicated the Dutchman.
26 goals in 123 appearances over four seasons, is hardly a spectacular conversion rate.
To those that are about to cite his work ethic, I do not dispute his contribution but he was sold as a ‘striker’. So why the poor return ? Why is Welbeck so goal shy ?
He continues to hoof over the bar at close range. He is unable to sort his feet out in the box, loses balances and is indecisive when in front of goal. He manages to get himself into space and find gaps in the opposition’s defence but it’s the lack of end product that has hampered the 28 year old.
Some Gooners will contest what I’ve just said but he should have achieved 20 goals per season but has failed to do so and with Lacazette and Aubameyang in the squad, there is no need for him. Would anyone of a sound mind put Welbeck in the Arsenal side ahead of either of those two ? No , you simply wouldn’t.
If Arsenal were to get close to his original asking price , it would be a fantastic piece of business. More realistically, £10 or £12 million would be the probable sum of return but it allows Emery the clout to fund one last purchase, with Monreal and Ospina also likely to ship out before the window closes.
