CRITICS DON’T WORRY ME
PREMIER LEAGUE Danny blasts back after two-goal salvo
DANNY WELBECK says he is learning to live with his critics.
Welbeck scored twice in Sunday’s 3-2 win over Southampton to end a run of 17 scoreless games in the Premier League, his longest goal drought for five years.
But he was still mocked on social media for blowing a hat-trick after he missed an absolute sitter.
The 27-year-old has always had his critics, who point to his relatively poor scoring record and history of injuries as reasons not to put too much faith in him.
Welbeck missed 70 games between May 2015 and January 2017 after serious injuries to both knees and Gunners boss Arsene Wenger admitted he could have given up all hope of a comeback.
But he is set to start against CSKA Moscow in the second leg of Arsenal’s Europa League quarter-final on Thursday having proved his worth.
Welbeck said: “There are always going to be critics. People are criticising Cristiano Ronaldo and he’s at the pinnacle. Every day, ® in every single walk of life, you can do something good and people will have something bad to say about you. You just get on with it and do your job as best you can.
“I’ve been through seasons where I’ve not played a lot of games and it’s been difficult due to injuries and stuff like that. But that’s past, that’s gone.
“I’m looking forward now. I just want to carry on progressing and improving. That’s my mindset for the next game.”
Crucial
Welbeck has now scored nine times for Arsenal this season, his best return since he signed from Manchester United in 2014.
He hit two crucial goals against AC Milan in the previous round in Europe and with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang ineligible and Henrikh Mkhitaryan out with a knee injury, it has come at just the right time.
He was written off when Arsenal signed Alexandre Lacazette last summer, and then again when Aubameyang and Mkhitaryan arrived in January, but has proved he can play with all three. “It gives you that added motivation. The competition is there so you are going to improve and better yourself,” said Welbeck.
“I’ve had that throughout my career. At an academy, players come from all over the world and it is the same here. You are always going to have that competition. It is healthy.
“I know I can link up with plenty of the players in this team. With the way we play, if sometimes we can knock it in behind a bit more it puts them under pressure, and I can make those runs.
“We don’t know how bad Henrikh’s injury is. Hopefully he is available as soon as possible but it is the manager’s decision who he wants in the team.
“Obviously, with the goals, I’ve staked my claim. Going into the game on Thursday, we want to get into the next round.”
Welbeck has also beaten the odds to force his way back into the England squad but insists the World Cup is not his priority.
He said: “My mind’s fully focused on Arsenal and the England stuff will take care of itself.” WEL DONE: Welbeck enjoys his winner against Southampton TODAY’S FOOTBALL UEFA Champions League
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