Danny Welbeck has had it harder than most when it comes to injuries.
The England forward missed large chunks of the 2015/16 and 2016/17 seasons but has fought back to overcome his problems and rediscover his scoring touch.
Welbeck has been a force in the Europa League and shone in the Premier League on Sunday with two goals and an assist to help us beat Southampton.
“This guy has gone through injuries which would have questioned all of us,” Arsene Wenger told Arsenal.com.
“He responded by not talking, by working. Even when people questioned his future, he worked. When guys behave like him and are rewarded, of course you admire that as a manager. You congratulate him and you’re very happy for him.
“We are all very pleased for him because we know what he has gone through and how he recovered. I’m happy that it’s working for him, because he deserves it. If somebody deserves it in our squad it’s Danny Welbeck, and we are all very happy for him.”
Reiss Nelson was another notable inclusion on Sunday - handed his first Premier League start by the boss.
“I felt that he has shown that technically he has the level,” said Wenger. “He worked very hard for the team. On the other side, we know people who watch the youth team a lot know that Reiss Nelson has a lot more in the locker to go one against one and take people on. On that front, he was a bit not completely himself today. But overall it’s positive.
“It’s natural [to be inhibited], yes. Suddenly you have an opponent who is more aggressive, quicker and you want to pass him. Believe me he [can] because he does that against players in training. It’s the first opportunity for him and I think he hasn’t missed it.”
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