The Danny Welbeck transfer - Why he is not what Arsenal need

Danny Welbeck completes a deadline day transfer from Manchester United to Arsenal

Another transfer season has come and gone, and Arsenal fans have once again been left fuming at the lack of business done by the club. That’s surprising, considering that at the beginning of the summer, there were moves being made much before August even showed its face, something Arsenal fans haven’t seen for a while. With the early capture of Alexis Sanchez, it seemed like the club finally had a plan to improve the squad and plug the holes in the team, making them genuine title contenders for the coming season.

Turns out, it wasn’t to be.

Yes, Sagna was replaced without much ado by Mathieu Debuchy, while Fabianski’s departure was compensated by the excellent David Ospina. Alexis Sanchez certainly adds much needed pace to the team, giving the likes of Ozil and Cazorla the freedom to unlock defences, knowing that there will be a player who is quick enough to latch on to the ball.

But the glaring problem that Arsenal have had has not been addressed, and that is the defence. If you flash back to the previous season, much of Arsenal’s reign at the top was because of a solid defence that had the back 4 and the goalkeeper working in tandem to keep a lot of clean sheets. Even then they did not have adequate backup at centre back, with only Thomas Vermaelen on standby. Arsenal got lucky that neither of Mertesacker and Koscielny were out of the team for any significant period. But even if they had, Sagna could certainly play central and Carl Jenkinson could take his place at Right Back.

But now, the situation is not that simple. Debuchy has never played as a central defender, and Calum Chambers is the only backup for both the Right Back and central defence positions. Nacho Monreal is being touted as a 4th choice centre back, but with the number of injuries Kieran Gibbs has, he’ll be busier at Left Back.

But instead of addressing this situation, something the club knew was an issue long before Vermaelen left, Arsenal brought in Danny Welbeck on the transfer deadline day.

Welbeck not exactly a replacement for Giroud

Yes, after the injury to Giroud, and the continued failings of Yaya Sanogo, a striker was certainly needed. However, it’s difficult to think that Welbeck was really whom they needed. True, he can play in the centre and out wide as well, ticking the versatility box that Arsene Wenger adores so much. But he is definitely not a like for like replacement for Giroud, and the fear is that Welbeck’s signing does not mean Sanogo will be kept on the bench.

Ever since Henry left, the focal point of Arsenal’s attack has been a strong man in the middle, who can knock down the crosses from the wings. Barring the one godly season that Robin van Persie had, it’s been how it is. Adebayor, Chamakh, and then Giroud, have all been the big man upfront. All these years, though, the cry has been for a plan B, which was what the club lacked. But now with Sanchez in, Ramsey scoring, Walcott back to fitness, and with viable options on the bench in the form of Podolski, another pacy striker was probably not what was needed.

With Giroud out, and if Sanogo doesn’t start, it will mean that the moves will all be along the ground, which is still a good fit for Arsenal’s midfield maestros. Ozil and Cazorla would relish the chances of playing in through balls to players that have the pace and the technique to convert the chances they’ll create.

But what it does not have is a plan B yet again. Almost every team that Arsenal puts out will be very predictable, and the defenders of opposition teams will be drilled as to how to stop the frontline. When things don’t go according to plan, the only possible thing that Wenger can do is bring on Sanogo to try and change things. But that’s a player who’s young and who, in 17 appearances, hasn’t scored a single goal for the club. That’s not exactly a threat that you’re bringing on, just another player in the hope something will happen.

I am not suggesting we should have gone for Falcao. The wages he’s being paid at Manchester United are crazy, and it’s clearly a one-off thing, for even a club like Manchester United cannot afford to pay such high wages for more than one superstar on a consistent basis. But surely, there should have been at least a loan move for a player who is stronger in the air and could at least do half the job Giroud does for the team.

And here’s the thing. If Welbeck had been signed on a loan, it’s still understandable that Giroud’s injury forced Arsene’s hand and had to take what he got. But a long term deal suggests there’s a plan for Welbeck involved, and perhaps it’s the end of the road for Podolski at Arsenal. While that’s all fine, it’s a strongman up front that Arsenal will miss the most, and unless Sanogo does a complete U-turn and starts being more effective, it’s hard to see how Welbeck’s signing can do any good for Arsenal this season.