Arsenal's Danny Welbeck HITS BACK at Man Utd for sticking him on the wing
DANNY WELBECK has hit back at Louis van Gaal and the Manchester United manager's decision to sell him to Arsenal for what looks like a bargain £16million.
Danny Welbeck has scored six goals for club and country since leaving Manchester United[GETTY]
Welbeck scored a hat-trick in the Gunners' 4-1 Champions League victory over Galatasaray on Tuesday and drew comparisons to the legendary Arsenal striker Thierry Henry for his pace and cool finishing.
It was the perfect riposte to Man Utd boss Van Gaal, who said he was happy for Welbeck to leave because he did not score enough goals and was below the standards required at Old Trafford.
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Welbeck, 23, could not resist pointing out to Van Gaal that if he is played in the central striker's role he will score goals - not like at United where he was shunted to midfield.
"Nobody can really criticise my finishing because they don't really see me playing in a forward position too often," he said.
"But now I am getting into these positions I want to be sticking the ball in the back of the net. I'm sure it's the same with every other striker.
"Obviously people can say I've not scored enough goals, but you stick the best strikers on the wing in a four-man midfield and see if they score goals."
He predicted that he will score a lot more now that he is playing in a central role for Arsenal, who have the midfield talent to supply the ammunition.
Welbeck bagged his first career hat-trick during Arsenal's 4-1 win over Galatasaray on Wednesday [GETTY]
If you're getting goals and getting a run of games in your preferred position, your confidence is going to grow
Danny Welbeck
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He said: "I wouldn't say I feel different now. Maybe beforehand, sometimes I wasn't getting through on goal if I was coming from a four-man midfield. Obviously it's difficult to leave your position and go and get goal-scoring opportunities.
"But I'm getting into these positions much more regularly now, and I'm looking forward to sticking the ball in the back of the net.
"If you're getting goals and getting a run of games in your preferred position, your confidence is going to grow and performances are going to grow as well. That is something I am really looking forward to doing, building on those performances.
"When I am playing with these sorts of midfield players, they are looking to slip the ball in behind. I am always ready for that, looking to make the movement right and get in behind the defenders. Tonight I did that a couple of times and scored a few goals.
"I'm looking to build an understanding with the players and getting to know them better, it's good to play with these calibre of midfielders, they are only going to create chances."