Theo Walcott Urges Danny Welbeck to be More Selfish in Leading Arsenal Attack

Theo Walcott has told Danny Welbeck he will be a greater success at Arsenal than he was at Manchester United but he has urged the forward to be more selfish in front of goal.

England international Welbeck left Old Trafford on transfer deadline day in a deal reportedly worth £16m after United secured the season-long loan signing of Radamel Falcao from Monaco.

Walcott, meanwhile, is edging closer to a return from the cruciate ligament injury he suffered in January and is confident his return date is within a matter of weeks and not months.

Walcott's return and the arrival of Welbeck will provide Arsenal with a much-needed cutting edge, with Olivier Giroud unavailable until possibly 2015. The former United star will be expected to fill the void at the forefront of the Gunners' attack but his new teammate has warned him he will have to be exercise a selfish streak.

"I've worked with Danny for England and we link up very well," Walcott told Arsenal's official website. "He's another English guy wand we've got a good English core now.

"He's going to be better for us than he was at Man United, definitely. He'll get more opportunities and he's got a point to prove. I know he's worked hard and he's still very young, and I think the boss will enjoy working with him. The fans definitely will – he's very exciting and he's very strong.

"One thing I would tell him to do is be a little more selfish because he is unselfish at times, which isn't a bad thing but I think he'll get more goals if he is more selfish. I am sure he will do well for us."

Welbeck has joined up with his new Arsenal teammates fresh from an inspired performance for England on Monday 8 September, where his two goals against Switzerland ensured Roy Hodgson's side got their European Championship qualifying campaign off to a winning start.

The 23-year-old is expected to lead the Gunners' attack against Manchester City on Saturday 13 September.