Danny Welbeck gives Arsenal another Olivier Giroud, crucially, in title chase – EPL talking points

Striker's return from injury means Arsene Wenger can alternate him with Olivier Giroud at centre-forward or offer a goal-threat from out wide.

Arsenal's Danny Welbeck in action with Leicester's N'Golo Kante ction Images via Reuters / Tony O'Brien

Danny Welbeck has already had a big impact on the Premier League title race with his last-minute winner against Leicester City.

He had only come on in the 83rd minute for his first start of the season following knee surgery and his return to fitness is evidence of why Arsene Wenger did not need to buy a striker in the January transfer window.

There is this notion with Arsenal that a "world-class" centre-forward would have turned them from Premier League title contenders into favourites for the trophy.

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The issues with that are two-fold. First, world-class strikers are few and far between. There are probably only six or seven in world football, three of them play for Barcelona, and another is called Cristiano Ronaldo.

Two, it undervalues the job Olivier Giroud does. He is not a fluid runner with the ball, but Arsenal have plenty of players like that. He provides a target, a focal point n attack amid a flurry of pace. His one-touch lay-offs are superb and several counter-attacks against Leicester started from his assured distribution.

Because Arsenal’s midfield is full of pacey, flair players, the team does not need a superstar through the middle. Giroud is the efficient and effective forward that suits their style. And this is where Welbeck comes in. He can play the same role as Giroud, he has been a targetman in the past for Arsenal, England and Manchester United.

He will be needed, too, with his side also competing in the FA Cup and Uefa Champions League, though their European campaign will probably end when they take on Barcelona over two legs in the last 16.

So, while Wenger can now afford to rest Giroud, Welbeck also gives Arsenal a Plan B if he is played out wide in Arsenal’s 4-5-1 formation.

It is a position he has also filled before, notably at the 2014 World Cup. Welbeck offers less creativity out wide but more of a goal threat in the 18-yard box than Alexis Sanchez or even Theo Walcott. Because he is naturally a centre-forward, he finds himself drifting into more dangerous positions, like on Sunday where he and Giroud sometimes competed for the same ball.

If Arsenal need to be more direct in the title run-in or find themselves chasing goals, Welbeck could be a vital asset.

Tottenham Hotspur must abandon Europa League to focus on Premier League

Mauricio Pochettino must be giving some serious thought into trying to bail out of the Europa League at the earliest possibility.

Yes, the competition provides qualification to the Champions League for its winner, but Tottenham are almost certain of a spot next season through their league position anyway.

Read more: 'Our supporters can dream' Mauricio Pochettino says after Tottenham surge past Manchester City

There are some heavyweight clubs left in it too: Porto, Borussia Dortmund, Manchester United, Sevilla, Napoli and Fiorentina, Tottenham’s opponents on Thursday.

An extended Europa League campaign could be a serious hindrance to the club’s chances of winning a first English title since 1961. Playing games on Thursdays and Sundays disrupts rhythm and could be a strain on Tottenham’s squad.

The best option for Pochettino would be to field a team of back-up players – and it would still be a pretty good team – and see what they can do. Don’t forget that Harry Kane got his first serious game time in the Europa League, and that turned pretty well.

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