Wenger was surprised by the display of former Man U striker Welbeck Walcott hat-trick as Arsenal dump Saints
London, Jan. 29: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger praised the mental strength and resilience of Danny Welbeck after the England forward scored twice on his first start since suffering a serious knee injury in May during a 5-0 FA Cup thrashing of Southampton.
Welbeck followed his first-half double at St Mary’s on Saturday with an assist for former Saints star Theo Walcott, who completed his hat-trick in the second half of a comfortable fourth-round win for the Gunners over their Premier League rivals.
Wenger was pleasantly surprised by the display of former Manchester United striker Welbeck, making his first start since a 2-2 draw away to Manchester City in May.
“I didn’t expect him to be at that level,” said veteran French manager Wenger. “I knew that he had worked very hard but you never know how much efficiency there could be to transfer that into a competitive game. “So it was great to see that he hasn’t lost his runs or his finishing and shows as well that when you are able to channel that frustration at not playing into efficiency, that’s a special guy.”
Wenger added: “You have always two fears, the first is that it takes him too long to get his decisionmaking (back) and secondly that the player is scared to go into any contact. So when he made the runs and was fighting with the defender, that was a very important moment for me.” MILLWALL, FULHAM GIVE UNDERDOGS BITE A goal by former Wales international Steve Morison secured third tier Millwall a deserved 1-0 victory over Premier League Watford on Sunday.
It was Millwall’s second successive top level scalp after eliminating Bournemouth in the previous round.
Second tier Fulham more predictably prevailed over out of sorts Premier League strugglers Hull 4-1.
Millwall dominated the clash with Morison’s headed winner just after the hour mark beating Heurelho Gomes.
The hosts fiercely striked the ball into net after few minutes but the goal was ruled out.