Coming off the bench after 10 months out to score a last minute winner against Leicester City, Danny Welbeck provided us with one of the moments of the season.
It was an incredible moment and one that, if Arsenal miraculously go on to win the league, one that will have more significance than any other this season. Not only was it the winner against the Foxes, it marked the return of Danny Welbeck.
Since that goal, the striker has continued to impress. A goal against Manchester United was ultimately meaningless but Welbeck’s strike against Everton on Saturday was an important one, opening the scoring in a 2-0 win. There’s no doubt at all that Arsène Wenger is glad to have him back.
“He can play on the flanks and through the middle, so I can play him with Giroud or [instead of] Giroud – that gives so many options,” the boss said after the victory at Goodison Park. “You cannot say you don’t miss a player of that stature for nine months.”
Welbeck has played a lot of football soon after coming back from a long layoff, but he’s not looking like it’s affected him so far. There’s been no time for settling in and the 25-year-old has instantly made the Arsenal attack look better than it has for much of the campaign.
“I believe [he can make a difference],” the boss added. “I had many hesitations to play him before the game because he is still not completely over his knee problem.
“We have to be cautious but I pushed it because I knew this was now or never [for the title bid].”
The risk has paid off so far and Welbeck’s form is giving Arsenal just a tiny chance of making this season mean more than the past 10 put together.