Why Danny Welbeck Deserves to Be Arsenal's Starting Striker

After the 4-0 FA Cup win over Hull City, both Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott will feel they have a strong claim to be Arsenal’s starting centre-forward. They grabbed a brace apiece as Arsenal secured their passage into the quarter-final.

However, they may be in for a nasty surprise. Despite their goalscoring antics, it is Danny Welbeck who deserves to be the Gunners’ main man.

Welbeck’s impact since returning from injury has been surprising. It started with that dramatic late winner against Leicester, and continued with a number of convincing cameos. Eventually, he earned himself a start in the north London derby against Spurs, and his performance that day was a terrific demonstration of centre-forward play.

IKIMAGES/Getty Images

His most obvious contribution was his involvement in Arsenal’s opening goal, sprinting in behind the defence before playing an intelligent pass across goal towards Hector Bellerin. However, his all-round game was excellent.

Welbeck ran the channels with a selfless zeal, offering a constant outlet to help relieve the pressure on Arsenal. His link-up play was also good, as he regularly dropped deep to help the midfield keep possession.

After the game, an understandably impressed Arsene Wenger said, per Arsenal.com:

"

He has worked very hard. I have seen every day the effort he has put in. He tells me in the Premier League that he cannot play every game but I have seen what he has done in training and I have had a lot of encouragement from that.

Even when I took him off [against Tottenham], he was maybe dead but you could see if it was needed, he still had that little burst to go. From then on, I thought maybe I didn’t want a setback for him.

I like him because he is a combination of pace and stature - he has a good mixture. When Danny Welbeck is determined he goes for it. He is ready for the fight. He has all the attributes to be up there.

"

That “good mixture” Wenger refers to accurately reflects what Welbeck offers the Gunners. Giroud and Walcott are specialists—one is an excellent hold-up player, the other a dynamic sprinter. However, Welbeck potentially offers the best of both worlds.

Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images

He has the size and strength to receive the ball with his back to goal but also the speed to offer a threat in-behind. Furthermore, despite their goals against Hull, Giroud and Walcott did not look like players with a great deal of confidence. Welbeck seems revitalised by his lay-off and hungry to make an impression.

There’s still a need for some caution with him. Ten months is a long time to spend on the sidelines, and Wenger is justifiably wary of the risk of inducing a setback. In the next week, Arsenal face three games against Watford, Barcelona and Everton, and it’s highly unlikely the England international will be asked to play in each of them.

However, when drawing up his teams for the next week, Wenger should make sure that his strongest side includes Welbeck. On recent evidence, he is the best man to lead the Arsenal line.

James McNicholas is Bleacher Report's lead Arsenal correspondent and is following the club from a London base throughout 2015/16. Follow him on Twitter here.