Danny Welbeck, currently fighting a long-term knee injury, recently sat down to talk about the Gunners’ upcoming opponents Sunderland for the upcoming matchday programme. The England international spent nearly the entire 2010/11 season on loan at the Wearside club, scoring six goals in 28 total appearances before returning to Manchester in April of 2011 due to injury.
Welbeck talked about his time in the North East fondly and recalls it as a time of maturation both on and off the pitch.
Yeah, Sunderland was a great year for me. It was a good experience, a learning curve and a pivotal point in my career because it was the first time I went out on loan in the Premier League.
Of course there are new surroundings too – you move out and live on your own. I was living in Newcastle and the training ground was about 15 minutes away but I had to learn to cook and clean for myself.
Welbeck was born and grew up in the Manchester area, and was signed by Manchester United as a child, so getting out on his own away from there was a big step for the then 19-year old.
Before that I was living with my mum and my family, so it was a big learning curve for me and it was a great year and a great experience.
But the striker also learned from Sunderland’s coaching staff, crediting then-manager Steve Bruce for his significant growth as a player.
Steve Bruce was great for me. He gave me the opportunity to play in the Premier League and I think we had a number of good results in that season.
I made a lot of appearances and he really kept faith in me for the whole season. That was something that I appreciate a lot.
There have not been many new public developments regarding Welbeck’s rehab, and the latest reports still indicate that the club may be targeting a January return. If he is out much past that, it may affect Arsène Wenger’s January purchase plans.
