Wenger's Welbeck Comments Reveal a Transfer Coup and Player Coveted by Arsenal

Arsene Wenger had to get up early to prise Danny Welbeck from Manchester United.

Thankfully for the Arsenal manager, his club and perhaps Welbeck himself, he had already planned to make a 6 a.m. start to last week’s transfer deadline day given his involvement in a charity match organised by Javier Zanetti and Pope Francis.

Ironically, his plans—which didn’t involve a minute spent at Emirates Stadium—proved decisive in acquiring Welbeck, who was suddenly made available as United moved to secure AS Monaco striker Radamel Falcao.

“If I had not travelled that day, Welbeck would not be here,” Wenger divulged on Thursday, according to The Telegraph. “The coincidence made it.”

The 64-year-old, who was addressing reporters ahead of Saturday’s Premier League showdown with Manchester City, also admitted he had initially hoped to secure Welbeck on loan, as per the BBC.

But, he said, the Falcao situation changed everything, as with the Colombian’s arrival at Old Trafford the Red Devils would have to “let somebody go.”

“I was not aware at the start that he would be available,” he added. “It was quick, but I had no hesitation to do it.”

While Wenger’s comments provide an unusually candid look into the last-minute workings of the transfer market, they also reveal a manager keen to start working with a player widely expected to make a major impact with the Gunners—and one who immediately strengthens a lack of depth at the centre-forward position.

And it’s in the centre of the attack that Welbeck is likely to operate, although the 23-year-old’s versatility and athleticism will no doubt see him used across the forward line as necessity requires.

“Danny Welbeck is an ideal signing because he can play through the middle—which I think is his best position—but also through the flanks,” remarked Wenger, according to The Telegraph. “He works for the team; he brings pace and can score goals. He is happy and confident.”

Welbeck, who scored twice for England against Switzerland on Monday, shares his new manager’s enthusiasm.

“Once I get into the box and get the opportunities I have got faith in my ability,” he said on Thursday, as per the BBC. “Before I wasn’t getting into the box because I wasn’t playing too much as a striker and I had to worry about my defensive work.”

He’ll be rather less shackled at Arsenal, where putting the ball in the back of the net will be his primary task.

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Danny Welbeck's second goal. http://t.co/7d1OI2KnTP

— Football Vines (@Vine_Football) September 8, 2014"

If they weren’t already, the Gunners will have to be considered genuine title contenders from here on in.

The summer acquisitions of Mathieu Debuchy, Calum Chambers and Alexis Sanchez always had them in the mix, but Welbeck may well be the player to put them over the top.

And they have Wenger’s early morning to thank. A happy coincidence, indeed.

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