It’s a close one to call.
The big talking point of the Premier League weekend is Saturday’s late kickoff at the Emirates Stadium between Arsenal and Manchester United.
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Added to the usual excitement that surrounds this fixture it could be made particularly special as Danny Welbeck prepares to face the Red Devils for the first time since a £16m summer transfer to North London.
Welbeck won’t be the only familiar face among the opposite team, as Robin van Persie made the the switch from the Emirates to Old Trafford in the summer of 2012 for £24m.
When both strikers were still at United not many would have predicted that the England international would score more than van Persie over the course of a season, but it’s not so easy to determine anymore.
Welbeck has been reinvigorated since his move to the English capital, whilst the Dutchman appears to be on the decline.
So here CaughtOffside analyses which forward will score more goals for their club in 2014/15.
Robin van Persie
After spearheading Man United to the Premier League title in his first campaign at the club in 2012/13, things have steadily started to drop off for van Persie in front of goal.
This has largely been due to injuries however, and the Netherlands international’s goals to games record is actually pretty good when he is fit and playing.
Three league strikes in 10 appearances this term is hardly inspiring though and with Radamel Falcao and Wayne Rooney also competing for a place upfront van Persie’s inclusion is not guaranteed.
Danny Welbeck
Never considered an out-and-out goalscorer at United and appeared to have a record to prove it – but recent displays from the 23-year-old suggest this is because he was being played out of position.
At the Theatre of Dreams Welbeck would often operate from the left flank and has cited this as one of the main reasons he left his boyhood club for Arsene Wenger’s team.
With five goals for the North Londoners – including his first professional hat-trick in the Champions League – and five for England during the same period, the forward looks sharp in the box.
Conclusion
Unfortunately although it would be more of a fairytale for Welbeck to leave the Red Devils and then put two fingers up to them by scoring more than van Persie, we think the more proven attacker will edge it.
He is a natural scorer and with fitness concerns over Falcao we can see Louis van Gaal getting the very best out of his fellow countryman. It will be a close call though.