Danny Welbeck Could Bring Arsenal Premier League Title-Winning Impetus

It was a goal that vaulted Arsenal indisputably back into the Premier League title race.

Danny Welbeck’s 94th-minute header against Leicester City, completing a divisional double over the Foxes in 2015-16, hauled the Gunners to within two points of their opponents and affirmed, in front of the watching world, that Arsenal have the bottle and the resilience to stay in this trophy hunt.

Welbeck has only played seven minutes of competitive football this season, coming off the bench last Sunday for the first time in any competition. Per Jeremy Wilson of the Telegraph, Arsene Wenger nearly didn’t include him in the matchday squad, changing his mind on the eve of the game—and what a key decision that might turn out to be in this title race.

His tangible impact justified the gamble. Not only was he able to guide Mesut Ozil’s beautiful free-kick into the corner, sparking pandemonium in the stands, but just before that, he’d seen a good chance saved by the impressive Kasper Schmeichel, making a true nuisance of himself in the box.

There are times when Arsenal appear to lack a third body in the box, and with Olivier Giroud so adept at knocking balls down for others to strike, Wenger’s calculated risk of sending on Theo Walcott, then Welbeck, paid off. Both substitutes profited from the Frenchman’s superb link play, with the Gunners moving from one, to two, to three targets in the box who could sweep home.

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Now, according to the Mirror’s John Cross, the England international is in line to make his first start for 10 months on Saturday as Arsenal tackle Hull City in the FA Cup. It’d be a timely boost for himself, the club and his nation if he can get back to form and fitness quickly.

But what kind of a role can he play for Arsenal for the remainder of the season? In a squad stacked with talent and, realistically speaking, looking at two winnable competitions (league and cup), how much can he feature and what sort of impetus can he continue to provide?

As B/R’s Dean Jones notes in the video below, the simple pleasure of Wenger being able to welcome a player of Welbeck’s calibre to a title challenge this late in the season is massive. The old cliched “he’s like a new signing” phrase comes to mind; having trundled along impressively without him, there’s a chance he can provide the extra five percent needed to secure success.

His killer instinct and determination to keep going right until the very end—traits that echo across many of the former Manchester United players knocking around the league, all having been tutored by Sir Alex Ferguson—is the ideal type of influence to introduce to the squad. Arsenal will need some of their players to have it, as every single one of Spurs’ do.

Giroud’s good play up top will likely mean Welbeck cannot enter the side in his preferred position—as a striker—though. Wenger has shown a great desire to utilise Walcott as the lone striker, but no matter how hard he tries, nor how many chances he is given, the Englishman cannot stave off Giroud’s challenge long-term.

It’s far more likely he’ll take a place on the wing. In fact, either of the two berths—left or right—are justifiably up for grabs.

The right side has been a revolving door this season for the Gunners, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain currently filling the role (though never too far from vacating it) and Joel Campbell spending time on the sidelines after a very bright Christmas period.

The Ox scored a cracker against AFC Bournemouth and made good ground against Leicester's Christian Fuchs last Sunday, swinging in a few dangerous balls and combining very well with Hector Bellerin. Some might say he’s earned the right to stake his claim on the spot and enjoy some continuity—a factor so lacking it has stalled his progress in north London—but history suggests it won’t happen.

The left side, on paper, is not up for discussion; Alexis Sanchez is one of Arsenal’s best players and starts every single game on that flank when he is fit—and even some when he’s clearly not. His dynamic dribbling ability, penchant for a long-range strike and outrageous work rate make him a manager’s dream, and he’s usually very good.

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But it’s difficult to escape the fact the Chilean has not been playing too well of late. Yes, he’s only recently returned from injury, but 2015-16 in general hasn’t been a good year for him. He failed to score in his first eight matches, saw his pre-season demolished by a Copa America 2015 victory and has fizzled out of form quickly whenever he has found it.

In a meritocracy, Welbeck could take either the left or the right spot (even if it’s just temporarily), but Alexis will be sure of his spot just as sure as night turns to day. It’s the right side he should be targeting. Neither Oxlade-Chamberlain nor Campbell have been able to gain Wenger’s trust, but Welbeck most definitely has.

His return to fitness might just spark Alexis back into form (or give him the appropriate rest needed so he doesn’t burn out at a critical moment), but it’s more likely to bring continuity to the right flank—at least until Santi Cazorla finds fitness and a central midfield reshuffle convolutes matters further.

Regardless of position played, Welbeck is just the kind of guy you want returning to your team at this key juncture of the season. By and large, the month of March represents make-or-break time for top-four/title charges, and Arsenal's No. 23 has the guts, determination and fight to provide the perfect garnish to Wenger's.

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