Danny Welbeck has revealed he was not a fan of Kieran Gibbs when the two faced each other at youth levels for Arsenal and Manchester United.
The striker, who moved from Old Trafford to North London in 2014, was pitched against his now teammate in the semi-final of the FA Youth Cup, and saw the left-back score in the first leg at the Emirates.
However, he had the last laugh, scoring the winner in the return leg to put United through to the final they lost against Liverpool.
Speaking in an Arsenal Album’s video, Welbeck reacted to a picture of himself and Gibbs in action in the first game, and said, “It was a special moment. Obviously me and Gibbo are very close friends now but back then I used to hate him to be honest.
“He was bigger than me, faster than me, he was so strong and I was like, ‘what is this guy about?’
“”He scored the first goal at the Emirates. The second leg was at Old Trafford and I scored the winner to knock Arsenal out.”
The 26 year old, whose time at Arsenal has been beset by two serious knee injuries, also paid tribute to club captain Per Mertesacker for his support during those absences.
“It’s difficult to put this guy into words,” he said. “He is one of the sickest guys, seriously! He just lifts the whole atmosphere up in the dressing room.
“And I think he helped me a lot. He’s always there talking to you, giving you advice, asking you how you’re feeling.
“I think once you’re injured it can be quite a dark place, but Per was one of the reasons that kept me smiling throughout.
“Even his playlist is banging to fair! It’s mad man, you walk in the dressing room and he’s there singing Drake and Future and that.
“You wouldn’t expect it if you met Per Mertesacker, but he’s a top man. A sick, sick guy!”
Welbeck comes across as a really nice guy, and you can watch the full video below:
Gibbsy seems keen on Danny in the picture.
Welbz is a nice guy, my only concern is whether he is too nice (and whether this is helped by having people asking about his feelings rather than geeing him up).
Kos talks about not being strong enough mentally.
No-one worried by that? Or you prefer a team of nice guys, singing and having a good time, that come 4th each year?
When was the last time we actually came 4th? Broken record you lot. 4th is alternative facts, you sound like Alan Shearer, my apologies
Too true, why go by facts when it doesn’t suit the agenda.
haha, best comment!
or like Michael Owen and Craig Burnley’s love child.
2013-14 and 2012-13 and 6 out of the last 11 (with 4 seasons being 3rd).
We’re 4th at the moment and most likely to end up there (or one up or down). Though I’d love to be wrong.
And I’m a Wenger in. But would still like to see Vieira, Adams, Lehmann, Keown type attitudes rather than not.
I’m amazed no-one has the same view.
Over the past 12 seasons we have finished an average of 3(.3333)rd
So I’m going to go ahead and point out the obvious.
It is possible to be a nice guy and mentally strong.
It is possible to be a dick and mentally weak.
We are not happy about things and yes there is a mentality issue but it’s more to do with comfort and complacency than people be nice.
Joey Barton
I don’t think anything would change the way he is. Wenger only buys good guys anyway.
Gabriel and Xhaka both have a nasty streak
Still a better love story than Twilight
Dat guy Welbz!!?
What a classy guy welbz is, just hope he stays fit from now on
Love the video and I’d pay good money to see Per rap
Anyone can rap like Drake, anyone.
Can anyone translate this article for an old git like me? Should I assume that being ‘sick’ is now a positive thing or should I be concerned about Kieran and Per’s health?
“I don’t smoke anymore”
“That’s sick, bro”
There you are mein freund.
“He was bigger than me, faster than me, he was so strong and I was like, ‘what is this guy about?’
I think my 3 year old is bigger than Gibbs.
Your 3 year old is just over 5 feet 10 inches….
Juan Cornetto is what Hagrid goes by in Spain.
Yeah and Welbs has the biggest arms in the squad by making he looks of him
Feelings schmeelings, get your fucking shit together and stop being a whiny Little Bitch like my grandfather would say 😛
Different times today ofcourse. Welbeck seems like a good man, hope he does well at Arsenal.
Did he boo you on your birthday, too?
He was a military man all his life, fought in the second world war most notably in the finnish winter war with Russia and I just tried to make a funny remark on how I remember him dealing with people and their feelings.
I was not bashing Welbeck which I thought was pretty clear, or are there 18 people who do not want Welbeck to do well for Arsenal? I am confused.
No and don’t sweat it, there are just a bunch of overly sensitive, button-clicking, drones around here. I thought it was funny.
Think his comments about Per shows why he is important to the club and the players. I think we have missed him in many ways when he has been injured, and although he isn’t technically the best defender, I think he does add some stability to the back. The players love him, the fan love him. Would like to see him get more game time now he is back. Both class acts in Welbeck and Per. Sad that Welbeck has been injured so long, because there is a great player there.
Actually I think that, technically, Per is our best defender. He’s just not very quick.
I think technically he is pretty awesome. Reads it well. Passes it nice. It’s his lack of pace that does him in.
Per is a good guy and an encourager. He should be given more games.
He should stay fit for more games more like!
How cute <3
BFG bumpin’ Future and Drake…what a sight to behold…Legendary…
“one of the sickest guys on road, serious”. Brilliant!
So much criticism of Mustafi when frankly Koscielny made some major mistakes against Chelsea and Hull recently both positionally and in personal duels. Unsuprising because as per usual, most people never review things objectively. IUts the same thing with Per (or Flamini) or Giroud who were all much more effective players than many gave them credit. Instead they have their favorites that could do no wrong like Jenkinson and TBH the mediocre Elneny. Gibbs is another one many love to trump up because of his roots. I like the bloke but frankly, he has been hot and cold (In part… Read more »
Who are this team they call the Spurs? They are really progressive never mind they haven’t managed somehow to finish above the tactically extinct Arsene Wenger for 2 decades despite changing managers every next season. I mean they play in the prestigious Europa league and almost beat Belgian giants Ghent. That should be every next pundit’s wet dream, particularly Twitchy. 4 more seasons and its a safe bet Wenger will be gone so Spurs has a chance of a title since 1961…because we won’t finish above them as a minimum and in those annoying CL spots. They have the Mentality… Read more »
I have a feeling that you and I are the same person, Santori. We have the same views, and I’ve never seen us in the same room at the same time…….
Everyone seems to be counselled by Per. I’m pretty sure he’s just the hip guidance counsellor at the grove now who has his own office, bowl of candy with a couch where he and the kids can just sit, hang out and talk about feelings and stuff you know
Shouldn’t Per be doing part time coaching or something? Bring back Arteta, then Edu, Gilberto, Pires or Overmars as football director. Now that’s a proper transition team.
Absolutely loved the last part about Mertesacker from Welbeck, sounds like he genuinely really appreciates the support Per gave him. Both great blokes from the sounds of it.
Can totally understand why Arsene would want to extend his contract by a year if that is his influence at the club.