Danny Welbeck feels the service he receives from Arsenal’s creative midfield can help him get on the scoresheet on a regular basis.
The England international completed a surprise £16million deadline-day move from Manchester United on Monday evening, as the Old Trafford club’s capture of Radamel Falcao provided further confirmation that he was deemed surplus to requirements. Yet rather than dwell on leaving his boyhood club, and one he had been associated with for all his professional career, the forward can’t wait to get started with his new employers.
This is especially so because, with Olivier Giroud ruled out with injury until the New Year, Welbeck will be given the central striker role he was so often overlooked for at United. And the 23-year-old, who has been given the number 23 shirt by the Gunners, is relishing the service he will receive from the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Aaron Ramsey, Santi Cazorla and the soon-to-return Theo Walcott.
“It’s exciting times for me,” he told the club’s official website. “It’s great to be a part of this club and it’s a team that I’ve always watched in the Premier League. I’ve envisaged myself playing in this team before. For it to finally happen is very exciting. I believe the style of play the manager’s got and the boys play, and with the magnificent players in midfield slotting balls through, I can run on to the end of those balls and slot them away.”
During his time in Manchester, Welbeck helped the Reds win the League Cup 2009 and, after missing out on their title-winning side of 2011 due to spending the season on loan at Sunderland, the Premier League in 2013. And he now feels the time is right for Arsene Wenger’s side to be battling for the crown they last won back in 2004.
“I just think this is the next stage of my development – to come to Arsenal, to really show people what I can do as a footballer and hopefully get to the place where I want to be,” he added. “I really do believe that coming to Arsenal is the right decision. I’m an Arsenal player and I couldn’t be happier. They’ve done well in recent years and last year we got the FA Cup and I feel like it’s time where we could really push on and try and challenge for the Premier League title. I’ve got one medal and it’s something that I really want to add to.”
Welbeck misses out on England’s international friendly against Norway at Wembley on Wednesday evening, but he could return to face Switzerland in the first Euro 2016 qualifying match on Monday. As for representing his new club for the first time, he is likely to do this on Saturday week when champions Manchester City visit the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal fans, what are you expecting from Welbeck this season? Let us know what you think of your new £16million signing by joining in the discussion below!
