Gunning for you: Welbeck has point to prove against Man United

On the surface, it certainly appears as though England attacker Danny Welbeck’s decision to depart boyhood club Manchester United for rivals Arsenal (6/5 to defeat the Red Devils) last summer has paid off.

The Gunners frontman has undoubtedly benefitted from playing time in his favoured position as a centre forward, looking confident, assured and even a little more selfish in front of goal.

However, considering the Red Devils’ problems up front this term, with Robin van Persie yet to hit top gear and marquee loan signing Radamel Falcao suffering injuries, there is a sense of missed opportunity.

United could certainly have prospered from Welbeck’s partnership with skipper Wayne Rooney, that has been so prolific for the Three Lions recently.

Speaking over the international break about leaving Old Trafford behind, the 23-year-old commented: “Over the past year or so, I started to think about what’s best for me because at the time I was playing on the left wing a lot and in a 4-4-2.

“You start to have thoughts but at that time you’re still going to training and I was still giving 100 per cent and giving my all in every single game – that’s just me, I’m not going to change that. But you do start to think about what’s best for you.”

This increasing single-mindedness Welbeck speaks of has been particularly evident in recent England games, with the at times electric attacker often taking risks and speculative shots where previously he wouldn’t.

An amusing example of this came as a bullish Welbeck challenged his own teammate, a particularly disgruntled Rooney, for the ball, as the hungry centre forward sought a hat-trick against Slovenia.

Three Lions forward Welbeck currently boasts a fantastic record of five goals in his last five caps, and appears to have cemented the coveted position up top, in the absence of sidelined Daniel Sturridge.

Welbeck must now turn his attention away from country and back to club, however, as he prepares to face United for the first time since his Old Trafford exit.