Why Danny Welbeck Could Be Arsenal’s Most Important January Addition

In a few days’ time, the January transfer window will open and speculation over Arsenal’s supposed targets will kick up a gear. However, for the first time in several years, the Gunners are not under huge pressure to bring in new players. Their primary task is to secure new contracts for players already on their books—principally, the star duo of Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil. However, there will still be some fresh blood arriving in the Arsenal squad. After nearly eight months on the sidelines, Danny Welbeck is finally expected to be available for selection. 

Arsenal would have to pull off quite the coup to land a more useful January addition than Welbeck. The winter market is a notoriously difficult one to navigate, with few quality players available for transfer. Arsene Wenger typically tends to use the midseason window as last resort, only recruiting players when strictly necessary.

Last season, for example, a midfield injury crisis prompted him to move for Egyptian Mohamed Elneny. However, with Arsenal’s squad in a state of relative good health, it’s not incumbent on Wenger to do any business next month.

What’s more, the Arsenal boss is a huge admirer of Welbeck. Since arriving from Manchester United in September 2014, the England international has been a regular part of Wenger’s plans—when fit. He was initially purchased as a replacement for Olivier Giroud, who had suffered a fractured leg. However, when Giroud returned to fitness and form in the winter of 2014, Welbeck’s versatility came into play. He’s since operated on both the left and right flank, as well as in his preferred central role. His adaptability gives Wenger options. As the season wears on and the importance of rotating the squad increases, Welbeck’s ability to fill a number of positions could prove invaluable.

It may take him some time to reach full throttle. Welbeck has spent 17 of the past 20 months sidelined with serious knee injuries. Some degree of ring-rust is inevitable. However, he is approaching the end of the road back to full fitness. Shortly before Christmas, Welbeck returned to full training with his team-mates at Arsenal’s London Colney training ground. …

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