Danny Welbeck
Danny WelbeckGetty
Jamie Carragher has urged Arsenal's last summer signing Danny Welbeck to emulate what DanielSturridge has done at Liverpool to be the first choice striker at the Emirates.
The Gunners signed the England international on the deadline day from Manchester United. The 23-year-old will be the first choice striker for Arsene Wenger – at least till Olivier Giroud returns from injury.
Brendan Rodgers signed Sturridge from Chelsea in January 2013. Since his move to Anfield, the former Manchester City man has been in fine form for the Reds. Welbeck played as a central striker for England and scored twice during the Three Lions' 2-0 win over Switzerland during the Euro 2016 qualifiers.
"He' [Welbeck] has got to keep producing what he did for England this week at club level on a regular basis, as Daniel Sturridge has done at Liverpool since he joined," Carragher told Sky Sports.
"It will be interesting to see what role he plays for Arsenal, with Olivier Giroud out the moment you'd expect him to play though the middle, but when Giroud is back, will Welbeck ever be a number one striker for a top four team? That remains to be seen."
Louis van Gaal signed Radamel Falcao on loan from AS Monaco in the final hours of the window and allowed Welbeck join Arsenal. With the addition of the Colombian international, United now have the services of Falcao, Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney as the recognised players to lead their strike force.
Liverpool legend Carragher believes with top-quality players to lead United's attack, Welbeck would never have been the main striker at Old Trafford.
"I don't think he was ever going to be Manchester United's number one striker but he was always a very good squad player to bring in," Carragher said.
"He needs to prove he can be a number one striker for a top team and I think that's why United and Van Gaal let him go, they didn't feel that and they knew they were bringing Falcao in," the Anfield favourite concluded.