• Premier League

Welbeck makes run of games plea to Wenger

Danny Welbeck has insisted he just needs a run of games to show Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger what he can do.

Welbeck, who scored twice as England defeated Switzerland 2-0 in Basel on Monday, joined Arsenal in a £16 million move from Manchester United as the transfer window closed last week.

And while his career had begun to stagnate at Old Trafford, Welbeck has claimed he needs a manager to show faith in him by playing him regularly in his favoured position - as a striker.

"It is well known I prefer to play through the middle so when I get my opportunity I just want to show what I can do," Welbeck said. "Once I get into the box and am getting the chances, I have got faith in my ability.

"Before, I wasn't getting into the box because I wasn't playing too much as a striker [for club or country], and I had to worry about my defensive work.

"Anyone can say what they want to say but I just know once I get the opportunity and a run of games up front, I will do my best. That's definitely what I need."

With Olivier Giroud out until the New Year and Theo Walcott yet to finish his recovery from a serious knee injury, Welbeck could get his wish, although Wenger has hinted that he could be ready to use the "versatile" 23-year-old in different positions.

But if he is deployed as a frontman, Welbeck will be confident of building on his tally of 20 goals in 92 league appearances. His last run of games at United came at the turn of the year, when he scored six times in as many matches.

"That was my last run, over Christmas last year, and I scored a few goals," Welbeck said. "It is good for any footballer to get a run of games. You become more confident and play much more at ease, so to get a run would be absolutely perfect.

"The game against Switzerland was my first 90 minutes this season, so it is just the start of things and I'm really looking forward to it."

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