Welbeck’s back – and improving
ARSENE WENGER is ready to unleash Danny Welbeck back into the Premier League after insisting the Arsenal forward could have prevented England’s humiliating Euro 2016 exit if he had been fit.
The 26-year-old returned from a second serious knee injury in the space of two years in the recent FA Cup third-round win over Preston.
Welbeck, signed from Manchester United in 2014, played for just four months last year after returning from a long lay-off before he was forced to miss eight more months with a new issue.
That saw him miss out on the European Championships, where England were knocked out by a humbling 2-1 defeat to Iceland.
But now he is building up his fitness and is likely to play some part in Arsenal’s clash with Burnley at the Emirates today – with Wenger revealing why the forward is such a popular figure with the club’s fans.
“First, because he did very well with England before he got injured, let’s not forget that,” he said.
“England failed and you cannot stop people thinking, ‘If Welbeck was there he would have helped us win against Iceland’.
“Secondly, he is a young, promising striker with a fantastic spirit. He is genuine, committed and humble.
“Maybe, as well, people feel sorry for a guy who hasn’t played for two years basically, and for me he is rightly, hugely popular.”
“He has pace, technique, and wants to help the team,” the Arsenal boss continued.
“He is a good finisher and that was a bit before he got injured you could see that was coming out because when he played at United he didn’t score enough goals.
“Suddenly it was coming and so he has been stopped just at the wrong moment.
“We still rest him after one or two days, because of bone inflammation. That takes time to get rid of and you have to be careful.”
Asked if Welbeck was over the injury setback from a psychological standpoint, Wenger added: “Yes, that is why I’m pleased with him.”
Theo Walcott remains sidelined as he recovers from a calf injury, but Olivier Giroud is fit despite hurting his ankle in last weekend’s win over Swansea – with the striker looking to score for a sixth game in succession.