WELBECK HANDED RARE START AGAINST ARSENAL
Brighton & Hove Albion striker Danny Welbeck was given a rare start at former club Arsenal in the Premier League last week. When he was not injured this season, Danny Welbeck has played second fiddle to Frenchman Neal Maupay in the Brighton attack as manager Graham Potter has opted for him to lead the line ahead of the Englishman.
For the away game against the Gunners, Danny Welbeck started in the Brighton attack alongside Belgian international Leandro Trossard, while the abovementioned Maupay was left on the bench.
Brighton boss Potter opted for Welbeck ahead of Maupay after his team went on a run of seven Premier League outings without a win. The Seagulls went on a in-game losing run which came to an end with the goalless draw at home to bottom team Norwich City. The decision to go with Welbeck paid off for Potter and Brighton after they won their first game in eight meetings thanks to the 2-1 win over Arsenal.
Brighton took the lead just before the half-hour mark when Zambian international player EnockMwepu produced a cutback for Trossard to give the Seagulls the lead. His strike ensured that Brighton took a slender advantage into the break.
The Seagulls doubled their advantage midway into the second half when Mwepu produced a world-class finish from the edge of the box. Arsenal pulled one back through Norwegian playmaker Martin Odegaard with a minute left on the clock but the goal turned out to be mere consolation.
The defeat at home to the Seagulls was a big setback for Arsenal who are in a top-four battle with North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur. They had the chance to beat Brighton and move three points clear of Spurs in the race for a place in the top four. They were unable to get a win and are now trailing three points behind Spurs as a result of the defeat after losing the last two games. It must be pointed out that Arsenal have played one game less than Spurs.