Published: 20 November, 2014
by STEVE BARNETT

DANNY Welbeck has won over a new fan – in the shape of Arsenal captain Mikel Arteta. 

Arteta has admitted that he was “surprised” by just how good his new team-mate is, but having now played alongside him fully expects the England international to go on to become one of the “best strikers” in the country. 

All eyes will be on Welbeck on Saturday when he faces his former club Manchester United for the first time since leaving in the summer. 

The 23-year-old goes into the game at the Emirates Stadium in the best possible form having scored five times in 12 appearances for the Gunners. 

It’s the kind of form that leaves Arteta admitting he is delighted to be lining up alongside – rather than against – the forward. 

“I think Danny is the perfect fit for us, with the kind of character he is and the kind of player he is,” Arteta told Arsenal Player. 

“Personally I have been surprised by his technical capacity, the way he understands the game, his work rate.

“I rate him more now than I used to and this is a good sign because normally the opposite is true when you watch a player on a daily basis. 

“I’m glad he is with us,” he added. 

“He has got everything here to become one of the best strikers in the Premier League.” 

Meanwhile Mathieu Debuchy hopes to return to full training next month and is determined to make up for lost time after an early setback to his Arsenal career. 

The summer signing has been sidelined since suffering an ankle injury in Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Manchester City in September, but he is making small steps towards a full recovery. 

“My injury is now better,” he said. “I work hard every day with the physio and I want to be back on the pitch in December. I’m looking forward to it.”