Arsenal hat-trick hero Danny Welbeck blasts Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal

Posted Friday, October 03, 2014 by Dailystar.co.uk

DANNY WELBECK has hit back at ex-boss Louis Van Gaal and critics of his finishing.

Arsenal hat-trick hero Danny Welbeck blasts Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal
SHHH: Danny Welbeck says people can't criticise his finishing skills

Old Trafford chief Van Gaal claimed Welbeck's goal return was not up to Manchester United standard after sanctioning his £16m sale to Arsenal.

Van Gaal's parting shot increased the question marks over Welbeck who, in his defence, was hampered during his time at United by being forced to play most of his games out wide.

Four goals in rejuvenated Welbeck's first five Gunners games are a sign of what he can do when given a run in his preferred position up front.

And there certainly looked to be little wrong with his ability in front of goal when he bagged a clinical Champions League hat-trick against Galatasary on Wednesday.

Welbeck said: "Nobody can really criticise my finishing because they don't really see me playing in a forward position too often.

"But now I am getting into these positions I want to be sticking the ball in the back of the net.

"Obviously people can say I've not scored enough goals, but you stick the best strikers on the wing in a four-man midfield and see if they score goals.

"If you're getting goals and getting a run of games in your preferred position, your confidence is going to grow and performances are going to grow as well.

"That is something I am really looking forward to doing, building on those performances.

"I wouldn't say I feel different. Maybe beforehand, sometimes I wasn't getting through on goal if I was coming from a four-man midfield.

"Obviously it's difficult to leave your position and go and get goal-scoring opportunities.

"But I'm getting into these positions much more regularly now, and I'm looking forward to sticking the ball in the back of the net."

Welbeck has already been likened to Arsenal's 228-goal all-time top scorer Thierry Henry after his deadly display against the Turks.

But he said: "You can't start making comparisons like that. Obviously Thierry Henry is someone I've looked up to ever since I started playing football."

The 4-1 win over Galatasary was a timely morale booster ahead of Arsenal's huge trip to league leaders Chelsea on Sunday, scene of their 6-0 humiliation last season.

Welbeck added: "I wasn't here last season, but the determination we've had going into every game has been good, and there is no difference with Sunday.

"I think we're a confident group, and going into Sunday's game we are going to have to prepare physically, mentally and tactically well.

"We have got a good camaraderie in and around the group. We are all really looking forward to it and are really confident."