Arsene Wenger Hails Welbeck-Ozil Combination After Aston Villa Win

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes Manchester United's mis-management of Danny Welbeck led to his early goal drought for the Gunners.

The England international opened his account for the North London club against Aston Villa on Saturday in a 3-0 win, which saw the forward combine effectively with Mesut Ozil, who marked his return to form with his first goal and assist of the season at Villa Park.

Welbeck joined Arsenal from United on deadline day after successive seasons of being marginalised at Old Trafford, with many of his appearances coming in an unfavoured wide role.

Welbeck's transfer had been the subject of scrutiny after the striker failed to score in his first two appearances for Arsenal. However, after getting off the mark for his new side, Wenger has wasted little time lavishing praise on his his striker.

"He rushed a bit his finishing until now because he didn't score," Wenger said. "It is more a nervous problem maybe. In training he scores goals like a real striker.

"He is a good finisher. As well, he has played at Manchester United in the position wide the last two or three years, never through the middle.

"Then you lose a little bit that instinct to score and you lose that pressure which is animalistic. You need to always be in the middle and wait for your chance to kill the opponent. On the flank you have less of that responsibility."

On comparisons with club record scorer Thierry Henry, Wenger added: "Look, give me some time, it is a bit early to say that [he can be as prolific for Arsenal] when you look at the number of goals Henry scored.

"Danny has interesting potential and let's see how he develops. He has a good mentality, good physical potential, technical potential and he contributes to our team play because he doesn't lose the ball. Thierry is a good act to follow. I have nothing against it."

Welbeck's first Arsenal goal was overshadowed by Ozil's return to form, after the German came under fire following the 2-0 defeat to Borussia Dortmund.

Last summer's £42.4m signing from Real Madrid was handed the No.10 role against Villa, a position the German he is set to retain given the success of his combination with Welbeck.

"When they played close to each other, they combined well, with pace, and that was very interesting for us," added Wenger.

"[Ozil] had a good performance. The performance is not necessarily linked with the position he played. It was the plan of the day to play him there, but that can change game by game.

"The whole team played better as well and he's a guy who depends a little bit on the quality of our game."