Despite Arsenal performing pretty terribly against Liverpool, at least Danny Welbeck started and scored.

Arsene Wenger has been especially cautious when returning the striker to first team action this season, with the 26-year-old even featuring for Arsenal’s youth squad earlier in the week, so it’s good to see him getting the nod for such a big game.

Although the former Manchester United man wasn’t exactly a world beater against the Merseyside team, he did what he could with the tools he was given. Basically, he did his best and when Alexis Sanchez gave him the ball in the second half, he scored a goal with it. And boy what a goal it was. It’s more proof of how clinical the lad is – he’s now scored three goals in two starts (one assist).

This was the England international’s only shot but he still did what no other Arsenal player could do against Liverpool.

He only completed 8/13 passes; 4/5 in the attacking third, which makes you wonder what he could have done if he’d seen more of the ball. Plus, as you can see, all his successful passes were heading away from goal, which is interesting.

welbeck v liverpool passmap

Perhaps the biggest indicator of how well Danny played compared to the other players, however, was when he was subbed off in the 74th minute in favour of Theo Walcott, the traveling away fans booed. For the away Gooners to do that, you know they’re annoyed.

However, considering this was only Welbeck’s second start since his return from injury, Arsene Wenger was probably right to take him off, even if it meant that Arsenal were unlikely to score again.

Although the match itself was actually pretty horrible from an Arsenal perspective, at least we have the silver lining that we have Danny Welbeck returning to fitness. Let’s just hold onto that, huh?