Danny Welbeck tells Arsenal squad: My winner against Leicester mustn't go to waste

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2 March 2016

Regardless of whether Danny Welbeck will be involved or not against Swansea tonight, his message was clear: don’t let my big moment go to waste.

Rarely has a return from injury been more perfectly scripted than when Welbeck came off the bench on his first appearance for 10 months following knee surgery to score a stoppage-time winner against Premier League leaders Leicester to breathe new life into Arsenal’s title bid.

The euphoria which greeted Welbeck’s dramatic intervention feels like a distant memory now.

Successive defeats against Barcelona and Manchester United have put the Gunners firmly on the back foot at home and abroad.

Sunday’s reverse at Old Trafford seemingly reaffirmed a widespread belief that Arsene Wenger’s team lack the required resolve to hold their nerve during the run-in.

They were firm favourites to beat United, just as they are tonight against a Swansea side who have suffered 10 defeats in their last 18 games dating back to a 3-0 loss against Arsenal on October 31.

There should be no fright in store now if the Gunners perform to the expected level.

Three wins from their last 10 games in all competitions suggests there is no guarantee of that, however, and Welbeck has urged his team-mates to ensure that success against Leicester has greater significance come May.

“It was a great moment,” said the 25-year-old, who won the title with United in 2013. “It was great to be back playing the game that I love.

“After being out for so long, I wasn’t used to it at all. Watching it from the stands and not being able to play my part on the pitch, it hurt a lot and it is something that, once you get back on the pitch, you really want to enjoy.

“Scoring the winning goal and celebrating with fans and team-mates was great. But you look back at it and want that moment to actually mean something at the end of the season. I think we have got a lot to play for.”

Swansea are unbeaten on their last three visits, winning on two occasions, and Arsenal face another searching week with a visit to Tottenham on the horizon on Saturday lunchtime.

That game already feels like one of the biggest north London derbies in living memory and it would be easy for minds to wander in midweek. But Arsenal cannot afford any complacency against Swansea as they look to rediscover their best form after a difficult spell with Leicester and Spurs above them in the table.

“There is no easy game in the Premier League and you need to go into every single game with the right mentality, prepare right physically, mentally and tactically,” added Welbeck.

“We have to be 100 per cent right and know what we need to be doing to get three points.

“We have got a lot of experience in the squad as well as a lot of youth. With the past seven days and how it has gone, you have to learn from it and make sure it doesn’t happen again.

“However hard it is, you have to get a positive out of the negative side of things. We have got to be focused on ourselves.

“Swansea is a massive game and we have got to win it. Simple as.

“There is an excellent solidarity between us and great camaraderie within the group. When the going gets tough, we have got to stick together and come through as one and try to get as many wins as possible.

“Both Leicester and Spurs have had great seasons. The way Tottenham have played, they are looking confident and strong while Leicester are fighting every single week and getting results. It is difficult.

“That’s why every single game in the Premier League, coming up against any team, results can go either way so you have to be prepared.”

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