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Premier League: Danny Welbeck says Arsenal form down to central role

Arsenal's Danny Welbeck celebrates scoring his side's fourth goal to complete his hat-trick during the UEFA Champions League match at The Emirates Stadium,
Image: Danny Welbeck: Proving that he is a capable frontman

Danny Welbeck says an impressive start to his Arsenal career is down to being deployed in his favoured central position.

The England international was moved out of Manchester United on transfer deadline day with Old Trafford boss Louis van Gaal claiming that a product of the club's academy system was not up to the 'standard' of his other forwards.

Arsene Wenger was delighted to offer Welbeck an opportunity to prove the Dutchman wrong, with a £16million deal making perfect sense for a side in need of attacking reinforcements.

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Watch Welbeck wrap up his hat-trick against Galatasaray

Welbeck has hit the ground running at Emirates Stadium, with five industrious displays delivering four goals - including a first senior hat-trick in Wednesday’s impressive 4-1 UEFA Champions League victory over Galatasaray.

The 23-year-old, who is also expected to lead the line for his country in upcoming European qualifiers, is delighted with the start he has made in new surroundings and says only now are his true colours being shown - with Wenger prepared to take him off the wing duty he endured at United and make better use of his power and pace down the middle.

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Welbeck said in The Sun: "Nobody can really criticise my finishing because they don’t see me playing in a forward position too often.

"People can say I’ve not scored enough but you stick the best strikers on the wing in a four-man midfield and see if they score."

He added: "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.

"I wouldn’t say I feel different. Maybe before I sometimes wasn’t getting through on goal if I was coming from a four-man midfield.

"It’s difficult to leave your position and get scoring opportunities, but I’m getting into these positions much more regularly now - and I’m looking forward to sticking the ball in the net.

"It’s good to get off the mark and I’m delighted with the hat-trick. But the most important thing was the three points."

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