Morning all.
I like Danny Welbeck, a lot. I love his work ethic and any player who has the balls to switch from Utd to Arsenal before he’s become as has been, gets my vote.
But it’s not been easy for him and he’s not too pleased with his first season:
It has been a transitional season for me, moving down to London, playing in a new system for a new manager and a new team, getting used to new things around the club.
I’ve been a bit unhappy with goals at club level but it is something that I know will come in abundance in the future. I’m pretty sure of that so hopefully the goals will come.
I’ve had quite a few good performances where I haven’t scored a goal and if I had, things would be different.
I’m happy about the move to Arsenal and I think things will go well for me in the future.
Must be strange having to adapt to new surroundings, team-mates and different tactics I guess, not that watching how Alexis Sanchez would convince me it is but it’s fair to say, it’s not been a fantastic first season for our Englishman. His eight goals so far is a way off Ollie’s seventeen in his first season.
But, apart from when Ollie was out injured, Welbeck has in the main, played on the wing so let’s not be too harsh on him although he’s hardly set the world alight on the occasions he has lead the front line.
What you get from him though is hard work, graft and plenty of energy and he’s a team player who never gives up. It could just be a case of ‘first season syndrome’ and next term he’ll do for his club what he always seems to be able to do for his country.
Anyway, let’s hope he finds the back of the net before the seasons out. Perhaps an FA Cup winner would cheer him up a bit…
So good old Arry, footballs very own Del Boy, reckons we are not far off from beating all others in the league to win the title:
I’m sure Arsene knows, but I think they need two or three players next year if they are really going to look to win the league.
They need a bit of strengthening down the spine of the team. I think they need another central defender, a midfield player and a striker.
They are not easy to find, but if they can go and out and bring a bit more strength to the team [they can challenge for the title]. They have certainly got lots of fantastic talented players there already.
Wonder if he’s been listening to Thierry Henry on Sky Sports or he came to that conclusion all on his own….
He’s right though isn’t he.
Gossip:
Arsenal are in pole position to land Charlton wonderkid Joe Gomez. Manchester City are the Gunners’ biggest challengers for the 17 year-old defender with Utd interested too but Mirror Sport understands Arsenal, who have a strong relationship with the Addicks, are currently front runners.
Iker Casillas is keen on a summer move from Real Madrid to Arsenal, according to The Sun.
Spanish journalist Josep Pederol has revealed Casillas wants to sample life in the Premier League.
“Iker Casillas is very clear, he wants to go to England at the end of the season,” Pederol told Spanish television.
Finally, there’s an interesting article HERE about how both Ivan Gazidis and Arsene Wenger allegedly want Pep Guardiola to be the next Arsenal manager.
Have a good Wednesday guys, three more points and top four is secured…..
Good read…
If Pep was to join us, he won’t play a proper DM in CDM though… 😉
Danny will be fine. He is not a TH14 or Inzaghi or even Batti-Goal but he does what he does best. Imho he is not cut to be an out and out striker…
As I always say but get shot down, strikers are not cut from the same clothe like they were 15 to 20 years ago…;
As ‘arry said you will be hard pressed to find a prolific striker in the mould of Van Basten or Romario or even Andy Cole who is not happy where they are…
Higuain and their likes are simply overrated imho…; Luca Toni is even outscoring Hig. and Napoli create chances so it can’t be argued that he will score more goals with us…
I think DW will be ok too but he works best on the right imo..
Still need a goal scorer different to Ollie…
Good on Danny, he wants to work hard, he wants to learn, and if he runs with that attitude he *might * get there. I dont know how the rest of you feel but I wouldnt put him in my starting XI most weeks.
He played 14 games as a straight striker this year and scored… 5.
In total he has played 33 games (24 starts) for 8 goals. If you remove the Galatasaray hat-trick this looks pretty dire.
As for assists, well he has made 3 all season.
This kind of form is not going to win us anything, and to be honest if he wasnt a well liked Englishman and was a foreigner who cost 16m, there would be plenty of us shouting that we want our money back.
Anyway, I think every top team needs 3 strikers. So Im not saying sell him just yet. Give him another chance next year. But I am saying Sanogo should not be back at Arsenal and we need *still * a top striker in the summer. I love Giroud this season, but he cant do it all on his own. He is not Thierry Henry.
Good post Rico, I won’t forget Welbecks goal against ManU in a hurry, and if we win the Cup, that will be one of the most important goals of the season. I thought he took it absolutely superbly and deserved more credit for his speed, awareness and touch rather than the blame for a defensive error. Welbs neednt be so hard on himself, although the fact he wants do much more shows the right attitude.
Agree re Sanogo Roger…
Thanks Andrew – me neither re that Utd goal, we may not yet know just how important that goal was for both the FA Cup challenge and of course mentally for the squad. Finally to beat them on their turf meant a lot…
good one Roger…
totally agree on the ‘home’ status too…; his figures are no different to Gervinho.. albeit less frustrating. lol ; and does not get Micko and Syg spilling their brew.
I think ‘fans’ will get frustrated next season if he doesn’t improve… Even Gervinho was given that long…
True Tsgh, Gervinho statistical comparison is a good one (worryingly). Somehow I agree he is not as frustrating, maybe he has better hair? I used to think Gervinho crossing was a joke. But ironically whoscored has crossing as Danny’s main weakness too. Doh! Anyway, we give him another year to be fair. But my fairness doesnt extend to Sanogo. He’s getting paid well, and cant find the net for Palace.
Rico, agree with the boost of winning at Trafford again. I went on a stadium tour there and the guide asked at the end everyone’s favourite memories there. I was keeping out of the way but when prompted, said Marc Overmars winner there two seasons earlier. I wasn’t very popular.
Roger- I always use to say Gerv played better with TR07 and Ar16 next to him…; he was worst with JW clogging on the ball and releasing the ball last minute; and with no off the ball movement.
Gerv in Serie A is playing very well with Strootman, Pjanic, Rossi, Totti who are much more intelligent players in the stature of TR07 and Arteta imho…
I know Serie A is not the same but at least they have Juve still in the UCL…
I hope not Rico, re Danny. Fans can’t keep comparing any new striker to Suarez or Aguero or TH14 imho…
🙂 Andrew, I bet that felt good….
Ts, I honestly don’t think he’ll struggle next season so I’m not going to worry about it right now. Let’s see what the summer transfer window brings us – never know, all the final pieces of the jigsaw might finally be in place before the start of the new season..
this is my inherited work PC rico, someone else probably used it before.
btw morning house
Quite a coincidence Lurr…
Dead on here today…..
Morning all.
Welbeck was a good buy at a good price.
He will never be our superstar striker, but will always put in shift and so will do a job.
And a good price for an English player Scott…
For sure, Rico, and a good point you make.
I like him Scott, just hope he starts scoring a few more goals… A bit like Theo really… 😉
Afternoon Rico. Just home from the rain.
Rico, the future of Theo is an absolute mystery to me lol.
Afternoon Adam, accessing the site ok today?
Hiya Adam.
Scott- I didn’t realise a man of such unlimited resources like yourself would value cheap and cheerful buys? 🙂
Lol Ginge,
Nothing wrong with a bargain, mate 🙂
You sound like Arsene Scott… lol
Rico. Not really. It has been dodgy all afternoon.
Theo and Danny are in similar situations both want to be centre forward but neither is good enough to warrant a place there. Both are blessed with pace but that in itself is not enough.
Adam. Seems to be only you and Kev having problems now as far as I know… Have you been sending each other naughty videos… 😉
Afternoon all..
Potter – Welbeck does it for England though…
Casillas??? Awful!!!!
I doubt there’s much truth in that Jm…
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/former-arsenal-everton-winger-anders-5603157
Not much point in hanging around…
Night all…
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/11572420/Arsenal-ban-Ainsley-Maitland-Niless-mother-over-assault.html
Just a thought about our post Chelsea comments about how we can’t score against them. Last night Leicester relegation fodder achieved that very thing . They broke fast down their left wing swung over a centre Terry and Cahill were caught too far apart they couldnt adjust and Leicester scored at the far post.Strange what happens when you don’t over pass and give them time to regain positions.
Strange that Lee , as opposed to the Bothroyd type strop taking a talent away from us , now we have a parent losing it. I wonder if it’s indicative of how our junior teams are run or if it’s a case of a mother getting £ signs in her eyes and wondering why her kid who had a Champion’s league appearance has not been seen since. Or maybe I am being a little too simplistic.
Excellent point Potter re. the foxes goal
Morning Rico et al
Maitland is a top player.. he can play in most positions from RB to no.10.
Don’t condone violence but Law had it coming… whatever the reason. Law is a bit of a proper snub who rubs folks he is in negotiations with the wrong way.
Yeah really strange Potter…..
Rico you mentioned earlier about Casillas being paper talk but I could see Wenger going for him as he knows Tyrion Lannister will fuck him about with the sale of Cech
New Post up….