As the Wembley clock ticked over into the 89th minute , the booming PA system kicked in and proclaimed that Danny Welbeck was England 's man of the match . Sometimes the sponsors ' choice is met with bewilderment , even derision . Not this time . The reaction was warm applause from all four corners of the stadium - universal acknowledgement and appreciation . Welbeck had been excellent , by some distance the stand-out player . Direct and deadly , this was Danny at his game-changing best . Who needs Harry Kane ? Danny Welbeck leads the celebrations after putting England 2-0 ahead against Lithuania on Friday . Welbeck 's header deflects into the back of the net to send England into a commanding lead . Welbeck is congratulated by England captain Wayne Rooney after scoring his sixth of the qualfying campaign . Welbeck 's pitch map from the Lithuania match shows his influence right across the front line . Welbeck has scored eight goals in 29 appearances for Arsenal this season but has six in four qualifiers for England . On a productive night , Welbeck blasted in the shot that led to Wayne Rooney 's opener , stooped to divert home England 's second , had three other shots on goal and tormented the Lithuanian defence with his pace , power and passing . The goal augmented his international goal tally to 14 - drawing level with Paul Scholes - and he duly became the leading scorer in Euro 2016 qualifying with six goals , one ahead of Israel 's Omar Damari . Welbeck 's touch map showed his influence right across the field , switching places with Rooney and Raheem Sterling in a dynamic front three that linked up seamlessly throughout . The only dampener on the evening was the knee injury that will force him out of Tuesday night 's friendly with Italy in Turin . Which all begs the question - why does n't Welbeck play like this for Arsenal ? Welbeck caused the Lithuanian defence problems all evening and justified his selection . Welbeck ran directly at the Lithuanian defence all evening in a positive performance . Welbeck is congratulated by former Manchester united team-mate Wayne Rooney after doubling the lead . Welbeck 's touch map from the match with Lithuania shows his presence right across the attack . Pushed out to the wing to accommodate the in-form Olivier Giroud , Welbeck has all-too-often looked a spare part in Arsenal colours this season following his £16m move from Manchester United last September . The fact his England goal tally for the campaign is just two shy of his club return speaks volumes - perhaps Arsene Wenger should ask Roy Hodgson for advice on how to get the best out of the frontman . Because he looks a man transformed on international duty - while with Arsenal , the wide berth is regarded as something of a snub , inhibiting his performance . With England it somehow plays to his strengths . With the Three Lions on his chest , Welbeck is content and confident , raising his game to a level rarely seen for the Gunners . There he can be aloof , slow and ineffective . The memes that often go viral on Twitter portraying Welbeck as a World Cup winner or with the Ballon d'Or are very much tongue-in-cheek but he can rise above the mockery . At the moment , Welbeck is unlikely to displace Giroud , who has 17 goals in 26 games this season , but Friday night 's electric performance proves that he can perform in a wide position - on both flanks . Wenger should liberate him and say 'you 're playing wide for the foreseeable future , but make it your own . Get the head down , get the legs pumping . When you run at opposition defences , it is a frightening proposition . Inevitably , positive play will lead to more goals . And more goals will lead to a sustained title challenge . ' Welbeck has often cut a frustrated figure playing wide for Arsenal this season . One of the memes on social media portraying Welbeck as a World Cup winner with England . The Arsenal man holds the Ballon d'Or for best player in the world in another viral image . Another meme had Barcelona star Lionel Messi lifting his shirt to reveal a t-shirt of Welbeck 's face . Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has pushed Welbeck out to the wings to accommodate Olivier Giroud . Welbeck is the first to congratulate debutant Harry Kane after scoring two minutes after coming on . Welbeck celebrates with Rooney after he turns home the rebound after the Arsenal striker 's effort was saved . Welbeck 's goals have put England in firm control of their Euro 2016 qualifying group . Sure , it was only Lithuania but Welbeck does n't select the opposition . He delivered against Switzerland and Slovenia too earlier in the qualifying campaign . With goals comes the confidence to deliver against the top teams as well , in the Premier League , Champions League and Euro 2016 when it rolls around . We now have the blueprint . Let 's hope we see Danny deliver .
England beat Lithuania 4-0 in a World Cup 2016 qualifier at Wembley on Friday . Danny Welbeck had a hand in the first goal and scored the second . He was named man of the match after a positive and confident display . Welbeck is the top goalscorer in World Cup 2016 qualifying with six . Roy Hodgson has got the best out of a player often sluggish for Arsenal . Now Arsene Wenger must allow Welbeck to run directly at defences .