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Danny Welbeck Reflects on Arsenal-Manchester United Rivalry and FA Cup Legacy

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Danny Welbeck Arsenal Manchester United Fa Cup

LONDON, England — Danny Welbeck, the former Arsenal and Manchester United striker, has experienced the highs and lows of one of English football’s fiercest rivalries. Having spent over a decade at Manchester United before moving to Arsenal in 2014, Welbeck has a unique perspective on the historic clash between the two clubs.

Welbeck, now 34, made nearly 150 appearances for United, scoring 29 goals and winning six major trophies. However, the FA Cup remained elusive during his time at Old Trafford. United reached the semi-finals in 2009 and 2011 but fell short of the final. Welbeck’s most memorable FA Cup moment for United came in 2012 when he scored in a thrilling 3-2 victory over Manchester City in the third round.

After joining Arsenal for £16 million in 2014, Welbeck quickly made his mark. In his first season, he scored the winning goal against his former club in the FA Cup quarter-finals, securing a 2-1 victory at Old Trafford. “It’s a club that means so much to me. I’m a fan, and it’s hard to knock them out,” Welbeck admitted after the match.

Welbeck went on to win the FA Cup twice with Arsenal, in 2015 and 2017. His contributions in the 2014/15 campaign were pivotal, including the decisive goal against United. Although he missed the final due to injury, he earned a medal for his earlier performances. In 2017, he started in the final as Arsenal defeated Chelsea 2-1.

Welbeck’s journey to the top of English football almost took a different path. Before joining United’s academy at age eight, he was rejected by Manchester City during a trial. “City custard-pied me,” Welbeck recalled in 2012. “But I was always a Red anyway.”

Now playing for Brighton & Hove Albion, Welbeck has scored six goals against United in his career, more than against any other club except West Ham United. His career has been marked by resilience and success, with nearly 350 appearances and 73 goals across all competitions.

As Arsenal and United prepare to face off in the FA Cup third round this weekend, Welbeck’s legacy serves as a reminder of the passion and drama that define this historic rivalry.