Danny Welbeck says he was glad to make an impact off the bench after grabbing Arsenal’s winner in the 1-0 win against Norwich.
The striker, who replaced Alex Iwobi, had only been on the pitch for three minutes when he crashed home Olivier Giroud’s knockdown on 59 minutes.
“When you are on the bench, you want to come on and make an impact,” Welbeck told Arsenal Player at full time.
“Thankfully I got the goal and it was a difficult game with Norwich trying to avoid relegation and they were fighting until the end. We had to win this game to get the three points. It was a good win for us.”
Arsene Wenger’s decision to start the out-of-form Giroud ahead of the England international had caused consternation in the terraces before kick-off, however, Welbeck, who only made a first team comeback in February after a long-term knee problem, hinted that his lack of match fitness may have been a factor.
“It is down to the manager, but I want to play every single game as players do. Being out for such a long time and coming back, you have to get back into match fitness.
“As you can tell, I’m blowing and I only played 30 minutes. It was nice, and I want to keep on playing games and building up my fitness.”
Welbeck also touched on the players’ frustration that Arsenal won’t be winning the league this season and that overcoming Sp*rs could be tough.
“Everyone is very disappointed,” he continued.
“We knew it was a great opportunity for us to go for the title this season. It is difficult to handle with the way it has ended. It has not ended yet, but the way it is ending, I think we know in ourselves and as a club we should be doing better.
“We want to finish above Spurs, but obviously they want to finish above us. It is going to be difficult and we want to win our remaining two games in the season.”
The Gunners may find it difficult reaching second place, but Nacho Monreal believes third is up for grabs if they can beat Manchester City next weekend at the Etihad. Before that showdown, Manuel Pellegrini’s side play Southampton on Sunday and travel to Madrid for the second-leg of their Champions League semi-final on Wednesday.
“[The Man City game] is like a final,” Monreal told Arsenal Player. “The side that wins the match is going to finish third because I don’t think Tottenham are going to lose their three matches.
“So it’s a very important game. We have to take advantage of the fact they are in the Champions League semi-final and have to play a tough game against Real Madrid. We can have more rest and we hope to win.”
Looks like Danny won’t start the next game either then.
How about Alexis up top instead of Giroud?
That’s a “no” then? 🙂
Tough crowd on here today!
That doesn’t sound like a bad idea to me.
Thanks Fab! 🙂
Alexis is the best forward we have, and wherever he plays in the front three, he usually does better than any of the other players we have. It also makes sense to play your best striker as striker.. My point is, i think, Wenger would readily play Alexis up front if he had good players to play on the wing..
Wish y’all the best in your last two games boys! Grab the third position and come next season, let’s try for the title again! Never say never!!! #COYG
I like you!
Thanks GiftoftheGab!
What I find alarming is that 1/5 of the pollsters on Arsenal.com’s Twitter poll actually want Walcott to be the next sub to come on?!? Or is it just a case of Sp*rs trolls? Genuinely confused here.
I hope Wellbeck starts against Man City. He looked in good shape against Norwich.
It’ll be a big game and they might have one eye on the Champions League game and rest some of their best players. Hopefully we can take advantage of that.
COYG!
Just watched the Sanchez strop, pretty disappointing to see really. He must know the team comes first, and bringing on Coq is a standard tactical move to hold the 1 nil lead.
But yeah, other than that happy with the result, even if it was a frustrating game to watch against a stubborn team. We go again!
Lol at Monreal referring to the 3rd/4th place ‘final’. Wenger instilling his outlook into the squad.
Not a trophy but a Champions League qualifier after a very short preseason is worth avoiding.
I agree with Toton, we’ve apparently given up on St Totteringham’s Day. I expect platers to have higher targets.
Chelski, Saints and Tykes will not be an easy run in for Spuds. Perhaps ManC is the right opposition for us to turn it around as underdogs and surely we bear Villa on last day.
Spuds 1 or 3 points, us 4 or 6 does it. Keep the faith!
Sorry, damn you auto correct, I meant Tobin ?
The “auto correct” was designed to stop you agreeing with Tobin.
(That’s one of my best folks!) imo
On yesterday’s game, I would just like to take a minute to thank the Arsenal ‘fans’ who supported the Wenger out protest. Thank you, for making me feel ashamed, Thank you for making me squirm with embarrassment Thank you for taking part in a completely shambolic, half arsed, nonsensical protest that will have no bearing and will hold absolutely no sway with anyone at the football club whatsoever. Thank you for making yourselves look like complete and utter classless morons. I think we do need change, but is this the way we should treat a highly intelligent man, who has… Read more »
I couldn’t have expressed it better myself. Thanks.
Hmm, DS you spoiled a constructive argument with an unpleasant vulgar reference at the end. Fans have a legitimate right to protest after so many years of disappointment. Their views deserve respect as much as yours.
@jimbo
Of course everyone is entitled to their opinion, it’s the way they express it that sickens me.
Such disrespect, for such a classy, honourable man.
Of course abuse is not acceptable, but you said “all protesters”. Many fans want Arsene to go and have the right to express that view, but do not resort to insults or personal attacks.
The protesters were within their right to stage the protest. You should have been there to sing wenger when they were singing otherwise. Arsenal is a big club that should be competing at the highest level. If we were say, westham, stoke we would just accept the reality and support the club. Finishing fought consistently for 12 years without being 1st,going out in the round 16 in CL no matter the opponent, capitulation in february every year, shambolic summers, injury records unparalleled, changed players over the years without results,changed club owners, assistant coaches yet no results. Lets try a change… Read more »
Why have they got a right to protest??
If you don’t like it, don’t go…
If you went to a restaurant and the food was shit, you wouldn’t go again.
You wouldn’t keep going to the same restaurant every week, paying for it, and then kicking off afterwards cause the food was shit again…ffs
I’m fucking fuming at these protesting cunts..
Judging by the number of empty seats on a sunny Saturday afternoon, some objectors are in the “don’t like it, don’t go” camp.
However, you restaurant analogy is truly pathetic and laughable. You can’t change which football club you support. You stick with your club but if you’re unhappy then you have a right to protest.
Power to the fans. Might not have been a majority but enough for people to take notice.
If this had happened last season, I doubt Arsene would have pulled that stunt in the transfer window where he didn’t sign a single outfield player.
“Power to the fans”….ffs grow up.
“If this had happened last season, I doubt Arsene would have pulled that stunt in the transfer window where he didn’t sign a single outfield player” It’s like you don’t believe Wenger can do that this season. I will not be surprised if Arsene doesn’t sign a striker this season or signs some mediocre striker for that matter. I really don’t understand what goes on in his head when everyone and his dog can clearly see what the problem is. Arsene isn’t ruthless. As an example he wouldn’t do what Ferguson did in his final campaign; sign a striker because… Read more »
The problem with your restaurant analogy is that one can go to a certain restaurant for years and still not feel any real emotional attachement to it, the same thing cannot be said about a football club. True fans of a football club are in some ways like citizens of a state, no matter how disgruntled they are at the state of affairs and the “regime”, they cannot simply cast aside their “citizenships” and identities. At the end, some might banish themselves – not follow the club temporarily – or choose to emigrate – temporarily follow other teams – but… Read more »
lol your restaurant analogy is pathetic. stay classy though
The reason why people go back though DS is because unlike a bad restaurant – to which you wouldn’t return following a bad experience, your football team is yours for life (unless you are a Chelsea, City or Utd plastic of course!) and we all love the club – irrespective of whether we are a ‘Wenger In’ or a ‘Wenger Out’
Football businesses have become so lucrative these days because the owners know that – unlike a restaurant – fans will still fill the stadium regardless.
“I don’t know why he doesn’t make full use of the financial recourses available, and I certainly can’t understand some of his team selections, but so what.”
This sentence is hilarious. Captures the mindset of Wenger’s apologists perfectly.
Shame you chose to end it in such a poor manner
I think if we knew it was his last year next season then next season it could be amazing. The fear I and many have is we continue as we are, making the same mistakes thinking that 3/4th is good enough. Actually showing desire to win or challenge in the cc l and making full use of the resources available to us. That’s why we left Highbury after all
@dialsquare Get off your high horse you piece of shit.
If those people choose to display their view, to let the people in charge know they are unhappy, that is their choice.
What gives you the fucking right to dictate how these people think & feel. You must have felt really embarrassed watching it in front of your TV with no one to talk to.
You seem to be by far a bigger cunt than the 3,000 people who held up a sign.
Who’s trying to dictate how they think or feel, just have another Valium and calm yourself down, I agree with how they feel, I just think some of the hatred and anger aimed towards Arsene is way over the top.
But congratulations on your comment…very eloquent, you mother must be so proud..
Pot and kettle
My mum is dead and your still a c***
Lots of fans insult Arsene especially online, but saying thank you for the memories but it’s time for change isn’t an insult
Can Nacho ever do wrong
Well said spinner
Spurs don’t need to lose 3 matches just 2.
Thumbs up if you would rather have another St. Totteringham’s Day and finish 4th. Thumbs down if you would rather finish 3rd even if Spuds finish ahead of us. As a Yank gooner who has only been a fan for 7 seasons, I’m curious. (To the pedants: treat it as a hypothetical if the math doesn’t work.)
I thumbed up as singing the “it’s happened again” song would be priceless!
I think Wenger has been let down by his players (yes I know he picks them) but can anyone name a player that has been VERY good this season?
Maybe Elneny?
The guy called Özil maybe?
First half yes but second half not so sure but agreed his is close.
Agree to an extent Paul but it was his decision to not sign an outfield player in the summer in the belief that they were good enough. He still thinks that! There’s no new competition or raising of standards
Ultimately it falls on him
But they should be good enough, it’s not like we have poor players in the squad on paper.
So what is the problem then?
I think he covered Wenger’s role in it in the initial comment, but flog away if you must.
Global warming?? 🙂
Bellerin, Cech, Monreal
City game is huge, especially if Chelsea can turn Tottenham over tomorrow. I would back Newcastle to beat Tottenham at home on the last day, especially if their Premier League survival depends on it.
I’m not sure about Newcastle beating them, but a draw would be a strong possibility if they need that to stay up.
I do hope by next season there won’t be any divisions amongst all Gooners. I’ll still blame Wenger for all that’s happening in the club, protest or no protest, but then let’s all of us gooners come together as one and support the team, be the 12th man in the stadium and give our dear rmanager a memorable sending off(if he decides to leave after his contract expires), hopefully after winning most major trophies.
COYG we can do this!
Could manure make themselves even more despicable? Going ahead against Leicester is certainly adding to my loathing of the dross
I 8 Man U.
very brave of you or you must have a hell of a stomach…these guys are absolutely inedible…unless you use industrial grade 1 mustard…
No chance Monreal. City have run away with it. Leicester City that is.:D The other City despite the media lauding them for spending pots of money is still vulnerable to us in the league and may be ushered out of CL even. Alas Liverpool got Klopp the latest football genius. Never mind he has to be given yet another ‘transitional’ season by fans and apologist for Liverpool in the media. They have been in ‘transition’ since the early 90s. What’s Klopp’s excuse? Not enough investment? See Leicester. All that rock and roll (Its music from 70 years ago) and can’t… Read more »
There’s no ‘out of form’ GIroud. He simply has not had regular starts since Welbeck’s return. Danny isn’t exactly blasting them in either. The gaffer oft criticise for tactis correctly put Welbeck into the mix last game as NOrwich were content with populating the box. We needed an extra body to count and in essence go into a 4-4-2. And Giroud even when he isn’t scoring adds something to the squad. With the extra help in the box, he was able again to act as a node and nod the ball down for Danny. An assist. Its easy to be… Read more »
0 goals in 14 games is definitely not exaggerated. Stop with this “superhero” act of yours. Giroud has been VERY poor and nothing anyone will say can change that.
Elneny is also a better player than Flam. Fact. He has performed better than flamini since he came in.
I don’t think one should read too much into Alexis stomping down the tunnel. He was obviously dissapointed not to finish the match but he was hardly acting up. Its what you call mountain out of a mole hill. The media will milk it and some segments of our fans are so susceptable to it. I have to say I would have liked to see Campbell come on. I think he needs to be given a bit more opportunity because he uses the ball well and protects the ball well. I felt even with Coquelin on, we were so naive… Read more »
The only problem being…. Campbell didn’t even make the bench. Theo did, Jack did, Santi did. I think this shows the boss’ thinking quite clearly even with two of these three having fitness issues and the other having football issues. Campbell must be wondering what he has to do to get a fair shot.
Is Campbell injured? I cannot see why he doesn’t even make the bench, as when he plays, he adds something to the team, especially as an impact player. He can also tackle unlike several of our forwards.
Have to say if when Arsene steps down, Koeman must be on the list.
How much did City spend on Mangala and Otamendi?
When the Saints come marching in…
Win or draw next weekend should do 3rd place for us
If Spuds implode 2nd
Seems that Pellegrini is willing to risk top 4 to go all out on the champions league. Doesn’t seem to care about the league at all. That’s what you get when you announce the next manager half way through the season. City’s failure could be Arsenal’s gain in this case.