WENGER APPRECIATES WELBECK

The Gunners boss pays tribute to his €19 million striker after his first goal for the club in a tremendous three-minute blitz and insists that Alexis Sanchez was merely rested

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger hailled the impact of Danny Welbeck as he scored his first goal for the club in their convincing 3-0 victory over Aston Villa on Saturday.

The 23-year-old assisted Mesut Ozil for the first goal with a through-ball and that favour was repaid moments later when the German crossed from the left wing to allow Welbeck to prod home for his first Arsenal goal.

An own goal from Aly Cissokho to round out a three-minute flurry ensured victory but the Gunners boss reserved praise for Welbeck as he helped secure victory - and a response which he felt was "needed" after defeat to Borussia Dortmund in midweek.

"It's the response we needed after Tuesday," Wenger told the media after the game. "Aston Villa started quite well and had one or two dangerous situations but, after that, we were in control. 

"We scored three goals in three minutes and then, in the second half, it was a possession game because they didn't come out too much but, overall, it's a convincing win. 

"We had Welbeck to score and that, of course, is important. He scored a similar goal to the one he scored in Switzerland [for England], a cross from the left and he pushed it in because the timing of the run is very good. 

"I think he had a very good performance today because he kept the ball well, had good retention, which is important, and good overall game for a central striker."

Ahead of kick-off there was confusion over the selection of Alexis Sanchez, thought to have been named in the starting line-up only to be dropped to the bench in favour of Alex Oxlaide-Chamberlain. 

However, Wenger insists that he had made the decision in order to rest the Chilean, admitting it is difficult to field players all of the time given the strength in depth available to him in that position.

"Sanchez was rested today. He was available," the Frenchman confirmed. "I have many offensive players and you work always find the right balance and it's not always easy. 

"I gave Sanchez a rest as he has played many games. We have plenty of experienced players who are not playing at the moment but who are top quality. It's always a very sensitive point [to leave a player out]. 

"You never know really how people respond to that. His best position is in the middle but I have 10 other players in my squad who want to play in the middle."

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