‘I’ve been hitting those repetitions in training’

We are only four games into the new Premier League season, but Danny Welbeck has already beaten his goal tally from last term.

The England forward netted his second and third goals of the campaign during Saturday’s 3-0 win against Bournemouth, taking him past the two domestic strikes he netted during an injury-disrupted season in 2016/17.

Now fully fit with a full pre-season behind him for the first time in an Arsenal shirt, Welbeck has started this year in fine scoring form - even if he has received some luck along the way.

“The first definitely wasn’t the cleanest,” he told Arsenal Player. “I got a glancing header, I thought it was going in and then it hit my shoulder on the way. It was a great ball from Sead and I think the play down the left to open up that opportunity for the cross was really good.

“The second is one that, once you’ve been hitting those repetitions in training, it becomes a lot easier for you to do. I got into that position today and I didn’t think twice about it.

“The past two years I didn’t have a pre-season and that made it a bit difficult for me, so I’m pleased to have a pre-season. With some of the games that we’ve played at the start of the season it’s not gone too well, but I’m pleased to be on the scoresheet and long may it continue.

“There’s always competition when you’re at a club like Arsenal. There’s always going to be competition, not just with the players here but players worldwide. Everyone would love to get the opportunity to play here so there’s always competition and I think that makes it better for you as a player. It makes you want to improve and just keep on doing your best.”