Jack Wilshere has claimed that one of his old Arsenal teammates was really fast, but he never really had to use his pace.
Arsene Wenger always liked quick players. From Nicolas Anelka and Thierry Henry to Theo Walcott and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, the legendary Frenchman managed some rapid attackers.
One player Wenger signed for Arsenal back in the summer of 2014 was also incredibly fast but nobody really talks about his pace.
Wilshere thinks he knows why
Arsenal hero Jack Wilshere makes interesting claim about Danny Welbeck
Arsenal signed Danny Welbeck from Manchester United on summer transfer deadline day in 2014.
Many supporters viewed the Englishman as a really underwhelming signing at the time, but Welbeck quickly became a fan favourite at the Emirates.
However, the talented forward struggled with a number of injury issues, and that kept him out of the side for large periods of his Arsenal career.
Welbeck still managed to produce a few fantastic moments in the famous red and white.
A hat-trick against Galatasaray in the Champions League, the winner against Manchester United in the FA Cup and his famous last-minute goal against Leicester City are still very memorable to Arsenal fans,
What supporters don’t talk about when they’re having a conversation with Welbeck is his pace. Yes, he was quick, but nobody really felt he was the fastest.
Wilshere believes that’s because Welbeck didn’t have to use his pace – his clever runs got him in the right positions instead.
In a video on Goal, Wilshere was asked to build his perfect footballer by picking a player for different categories like pace, strength and football IQ.
Just when everybody expected him to pick Theo Walcott for pace, Wilshere surprised us all and picked Welbeck.
“Danny Welbeck! He didn’t really use it, he didn’t have to because he was clever and he got into good positions, but when he wanted to, he was quick and powerful!”
READ MORE: Danny Welbeck names Arsenal hero as the best player he’s ever played with
Danny Welbeck’s stats at Arsenal and Manchester United compared
Welbeck came through the ranks at Manchester United and spent a number of years under Sir Alex Ferguson as a senior player at Old Trafford.
The attacker played 142 games for the Red Devils, scored 29 goals and provided 17 assists. He won two Premier League titles, one Champions League, two FA Cups and two League Cups during his time there.
As an Arsenal player, Welbeck played 126 games, scored 32 goals and provided 13 assists. He won two FA Cups and a Community Shield at the Emirates.
The common theme for Welbeck at both Manchester United and Arsenal was injury issues. He missed over 190 games combined when he was on the books of the two great English clubs.
Welbeck is 33 now and plays for Brighton and Hove Albion. He played 37 games for them and scored seven goals in the 2023/24 season.