’On the pitch, you’re frenemies’

Danny Welbeck is set to come up against a whole host of familiar faces when we host Manchester United on Sunday.

Our forward began his career at Old Trafford and still has plenty of friends there - but once the first whistle blows on Sunday, that will all be forgotten about.

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“I’m in touch with quite a few of the boys,” Welbeck told Arsenal Player. “I was there for a number of years and a lot of the players I came through with and have known from a young age are still there. You still have a bit of contact with those boys.

“You just go about it [ahead of the game], if you speak about it, you have a little chat but there’s not really anything that comes up. Once you get on to the pitch, it’s about being professional. It’s a game you want to win and they want to win.

“I was thinking about this with Danny Rose. He’s one of my close friends but when it’s coming up to the derby, it’s one where we don’t really talk or anything. I remember on the pitch we had a fall-out. As soon as you get off it, it’s back to normal. But when you’re on the pitch, you’re kind of frenemies.

“I grew up and came through the academy at Manchester United before moving on to Arsenal. When you come up against them, it’s a big game, not just for me individually but for the whole team, for both clubs. It’s always a great occasion and is a game you always want to win.”