Danny Welbeck says he always felt the love from the Arsenal fans and has left the club having made friends for life.
The England international joined Watford on a free transfer in the summer after five years at the Emirates and is hoping, after three serious injuries in quick succession, that he can get his career back on track at Vicarage Road.
“Right from the beginning of my time at Arsenal I always felt a lot of love and support from the fans,” Welbeck told the Watford official website ahead of Sunday’s game against the Gunners.
“Obviously, we had some great times there and some terrible lows as well. Things were difficult for me at times but when I’m on the pitch I’m always going to give it 100 per cent and the fans saw that and recognised that. They saw me go through some really hard times but they were always there to support me.
He added: “I have so many great memories, especially winning the FA Cup final in 2017. We were up against a good Chelsea side and it was a very good performance that day. To win the cup was a great feeling and it was a really big high for myself personally.
“Scoring a hat-trick in the Champions League was another, and coming back from injury to score the winner at Leicester was another thing I’ll always remember. There are also memories that people won’t have seen, like making lifelong friends at the club and all the people who have helped me along my journey.”
Welbeck also admitted that the injury that forced him to sit out five months of last season was particularly hard to swallow. Having been in fine form at the start of the campaign, the striker broke his ankle in a Europa League game before Christmas and didn’t feature again in an Arsenal shirt.
“My last game for Arsenal was against Sporting last November, and that’s when I injured my ankle,” he explained.
“It wasn’t nice at all. The physio ran on and he was grabbing my leg, and I just knew from that moment I had done something that wasn’t going to just keep me out for a couple of weeks.
“Having already come back from some pretty serious injuries, it was so hard. I remember getting in that dressing room and you don’t want to know what I was saying. The staff were great with me and the players came and supported me.
“My family and friends came to the hospital that night but once everyone was gone and I was in that hospital room on my own I just had a little cry to myself, letting my emotions out. But the next day I just thought, ‘right it’s happened now and I’ve just got to crack on and try to come back stronger’. It’s so important to let your emotions out first and then crack on.”
Will miss welbz. Solid player and always putting in a shift no matter what. Loved him in the cup final v Chelsea he was everywhere that day
? Football friend ?
Great guy, I really hope he goes on to great things… after the weekend.
The type of player every fan of every club should like or at least respect, a Grafter
Dat Guy. Whatever you want to say about him, he always have 100%. Good luck mate.
That goal against Leicester was the sliding doors moment that never was. Not winning the league that season still hurts and will be up there with the 2003 Wayne Bridge goal as well as the 2006 final as my worst Arsenal memories.
Absolutely. Painful memories of how that season ended, but a great memory of celebrating that goal! What a goal that was! What a time to score! Welbz coming from a long injury lay-off. I shouted so loud that people from neighbouring dorms came over to enquire! That was truly a magical header!
I was at the match that day. Had decided to go the week before and spent about 5 hours refreshing ticket exchange until a ticket became available. I was up in the clock end, and when Wele scored the guy behind me jumped on my shoulders. I really thought that was our year, an it really should have been, looking back on it now.
Second half of last season’s EL final is a very bitter memory.
I always rated him as I think he is a very very good player. The only thing he really lacked was a concentration infront of the goal. I always liked his ball-carrying abillites and his quality operating in the small areas when under the pressure. I think he could make a fine B2B midfielder if given a chance. I was quite disappointed that he left. Hopefully he will be injury free now and can show his quality but I don’t believe he will ever be a goalscorer.
Such terrible luck he had with us… Debuchy too… And so many others…i really hope the injury gods let our players be henceforth… All the best Danny… Hope you never have to cry anymore…you deserve better luck
That Leicester goal was the last bit of Premier League joy that I can remember having. Thanks for that Welbz. Good luck to you.❣️
Welbz also scored a winner against Manyoo at Old Toilet in the FA Cup run in 2015. And he celebrated.
A good guy, Welbz!
It’s spelt ‘Manure’
Manyuck!
Love Welbeck, hard worker and such a human footballer. Some terrible luck with us for injuries and I hope so much that he gets a chance to have a consistent run in that Watford side. Could see him rack up a bunch of goals over the season and would be great to see on of the genuinely nice guys of football succeed despite the injuries.
The most complete player that any right thinking manager will hold on to regardless. He had such love and respect for Arsenal that caused him to give his all. An exceptional gentleman with an impeccable character. Watford is really blessed to have him. He always has my love and support no matter what team he plays on. God bless him bountifully with sustained health and form.
Jesus him talking about how low he felt the first night in the hospital is brutal. The guy probably felt like quitting at that point, but he came back and got himself a good move to Watford. That takes real character.
I also remember him being the only one in the squad who could get through to Alexis and would put an arm around his shoulder when the other players seemed to be sick of him. It’s so important to have someone with Wele’s personality in a football team. We’re gonna miss him
We will have to be concern with the physicality and height of the Deeney/Welbeck pairing.
They also have some pace to burn.
Without Granit in particular, we will have to be very careful we don’t get ‘bullied’ by the pair.
OTOH, high energy work in midfield from Cebellos-Willock-Guendouzi can provide us with a good strangle hold higher up.
Good to see Danny big us up. He was always 100%.
First Deeney is injured and will be out for several weeks. Secondly Xhaka is fit so he could play
We gooners love you Welbz
I bloody love that man..will miss him
Such a genuine guy. Good luck to him and hopefully that’s it for serious injuries.