Arsene Wenger took a gamble in playing Danny Welbeck against Everton, and the Arsenal manager's celebratory jig goes to show how much his goal meant

  • Danny Welbeck opened the scoring in Arsenal's 2-0 win over Everton
  • The striker has recently returned after a long spell out through injury
  • Welbeck wouldn't have started if the Gunners weren't desperate for points
  • But he made a difference, leaving Arsene Wenger ecstatic on the touchline 

Danny Welbeck had just waltzed around Everton’s defence to score when Arsene Wenger’s mask slipped.

Wenger usually greets an Arsenal goal with just the trace of a smile and a gentle pump of his fists but this time, with the stakes high, he hopped and skipped his way into the technical area.

There was delight to see his gamble on Welbeck pay off — he would not have played had Arsenal not been so desperate for three points — and also the sense that their titles dreams were still alive.

Arsenal striker Danny Welbeck celebrates his opener against Everton at Goodison Park

Arsenal striker Danny Welbeck celebrates his opener against Everton at Goodison Park

Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin (left) celebrates with Welbeck following his strike against the Toffees

Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin (left) celebrates with Welbeck following his strike against the Toffees

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was delighted that the gamble to play the striker paid off

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was delighted that the gamble to play the striker paid off

Arsenal were imperious, their passing and movement a joy to behold. When you see them play this way, it baffles that they have fallen so far below first place, but the glint in Wenger’s eye suggested he does not think they have left things too late. 


SUPER STAT 

Everton have conceded 28 goals at home - higher than ever before in the Premier League.

‘I know this team has put a lot of work in since the start,’ he said when reminded of his celebratory jig after a 2-0 win that was clinched by the outstanding Alex Iwobi. 

‘I know how much dedication this team has put in and I want them to be rewarded. I know we have gone through a difficult period.

The England international has spent much of the past year out through injury 

The England international has spent much of the past year out through injury 

'It’s a good test to see how much a team survives after getting so much stick. I knew we could not even afford to draw this game.’

They can’t afford to draw any games. Arsenal will need to win their remaining eight fixtures and hope nerves paralyse Leicester and Tottenham to become champions, but the return of Welbeck at least gives them the artillery.

‘You cannot say you don’t miss a player of that stature for eight months,’ said Wenger. ‘He can make a real difference in the final eight games. He’s still not over his knee problems, we know we have to be cautious with him. I pushed it because I knew it was now or never.’

Everton’s home record has been appalling and with 16 points from 16 games, they need to win their final three fixtures to avoid the lowest home points tally in their history.

DANNY WELLBECK'S SLICK OPENING GOAL

Arsenal, famed for their passing game but criticised for the lack of a cutting edge, combined the two to perfection for the opening goal. It was classic Arsenal. A delightful, sweeping move from one side of the pitch to the other had Everton chasing shadows. 

But it still needed finishing off and that’s where Danny Welbeck, superb since his return from injury, delivered with style. Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil linked up with a slick one-two, before Sanchez slipped in Welbeck. The striker timed his run between two defenders to perfection to beat the offside trap, waltzed round keeper Joel Robles and tapped the ball into an empty net (above).