After searching for a striker all along this transfer window and being linked with names like Falcao, Cavani and Balotelli, Arsenal finally managed to get Welbeck at the last minutes of 31st August. Although Welbeck is no-where near to the afore-mentioned in terms of goals scored, still he can be a valuable addition to an Arsenal squad lingering for two strikers up-front.
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Playing under the shade of star strikers like Van Persie and Wayne Rooney is not easy for any youngster and same was the case for Danny Welbeck. Being a 3rd choice striker means a restriction of game time but Welbeck got 25 appearances and he made the most of it. The English Man scored 9 goals and was the 3rd top scorer for Manchester United in a shady season.
Last season, Giroud out-scored Welbeck with a long margin. The French Striker scored 16 goals for the gunners. But there are stats which shows the other side of the picture. Welbeck played exactly half the time of Giroud’s playing time last season. Welbeck shows a better shot accuracy than Giroud.
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Conversion Rate
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Total Appearances
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Goals Scored
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Shots Accuracy
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Assists
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Goals scored per 90 Minutes
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Giroud
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15.4
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36
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16
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43%
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8
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0.47
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Welbeck
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16.7
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25
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9
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53%
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1
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0.55
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Welbeck is more traditional when it comes to striking role. He likes to run on the defenders to create chances and is livelier than Giroud. That’s the exact reason why Welbeck had a much better conversion rate than his Arsenal Counter-part. One field where Giroud has no comparison with Welbeck is the assists region. But Wenger would want his striker to concentrate on scoring more goals and let the team do the rest and Welbeck is just that kind of striker whom Mr. Wenger would prefer to have in his team.
On an interesting note, Welbeck had an equal chance conversion rate with Daniel Sturridge, 25% last season.
So if the new Arsenal boy can get regular playing time, he can be very clinical in front of goal.
Welbeck will get enough game time thanks to Giroud injury. And with the World Class midfielders like Ozil, Cazorla and Ramsey to his company, he will be a threat to look for opposing teams. He has come to Arsenal with a lot to prove. At such a young age, he has all the credentials to fight and become very best of strikers in the Premier League. Under an experienced manager like Arsene Wenger, Welbeck can mould his weakness into strengths and outscore Giroud for the betterment of Arsenal.
Amir Bashir follow him on Twitter.
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