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.
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.
Conversion
Rate
|
Total
Appearances
|
Goals
Scored
|
Shots
Accuracy
|
Assists
|
Goals
scored per 90 Minutes
|
|
Giroud
|
15.4
|
36
|
16
|
43%
|
8
|
0.47
|
Welbeck
|
16.7
|
25
|
9
|
53%
|
1
|
0.55
|
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.
No comments