On Thursday night, Danny Welbeck murdered a puppy in front of a packed-out Ashburton Grove, or at least that’s what you would believe if you read the papers this morning, and even Arsenal fans aren’t sure how to react to the striker’s ‘dive’ against Milan.
Welbeck tripped over his own feet to earn himself a penalty against Milan in the Europa League. And although Arsenal went on to win the match 3-1 – 5-1 on aggregate – that hasn’t stopped the media and even fanbase from fixating on it.
To anyone who doesn’t watch Danny Welbeck regularly, I can understand why you’d think that was a dive but I can assure you that was quite simply just Danny Welbeck trying to shoot
— Scott (@ocrxB) March 15, 2018
While some fans aren’t that bothered by the 27-year-old appearing to dive against the Serie A giants, since Arsenal have had their fair share of dodgy calls go against them in the past, others are a little embarrassed.
so much admiration for the ingenious Danny Welbeck performing a dive so bad, it ends up tricking the official into believing that there’s no way a human can flail in such a laughable way and there therefore had to be contact
— Eoin Sheahan (@EoinSheahan) March 15, 2018
Danny Welbeck didn’t even dive he just fell over and the official gave it for some reason 😂 #ARSMIL pic.twitter.com/rnlLqLGqGr
— Rambo (@WelshRamsey) March 15, 2018
Horrendous dive from Welbeck – Awful.
— Charles Watts (@charles_watts) March 15, 2018
That’s a disgusting dive from Welbeck, absolutely disgraceful.
— John Smith. (@ByJohnSmith) March 15, 2018
Dnt like seeing our players dive…No matter what’s at stake….that was awful from Welbeck…. 😏😏😏
— Olayinka (@ykgunnerz) March 15, 2018
Some are just angry at the double standards in the media, as the coverage of Dele Alli’s past dives hasn’t been nearly as extensive as this. Not that any of us are exactly surprised.
Claiming that the spot-kick came at a crucial time in the game is correct but implying that the tie could have gone either way until that point, as a certain Mirror journalist did, is a bit of a reach.
Arsenal were the dominant team over both legs and although that may not fit the narrative that Arsene Wenger’s completely incompetent, that’s a fact.
Arsenal won 5-1 on aggregate, to say Welbeck’s dive ‘decided the whole tie’ is absurd.
— arseblog (@arseblog) March 15, 2018
Welbeck dives once… Where is that banter when Alli and Kane the serial cheats dive… Alli does this week in week out… Where is that going to be slated? https://t.co/rmi6aueQL9
— Alex Noyer (@alexnoyer) March 15, 2018
Good morning to all, especially Danny Welbeck and also John Cross, who I assume has been up half the night rage-vomming down his own chest.
— Alexandre Lacazette Fan Account (@Bloatyheader) March 16, 2018
Pathetic dive. Softest penalty ever. Couldn’t be prouder of Welbeck #ARSMIL pic.twitter.com/RPM0sWU3Cg
— David Zimmer (@dzimmernews) March 15, 2018
Get in Welbeck. Top class dive had to be done
— AFCAMDEN (@AFCAMDEN) March 16, 2018
I hope Welbeck did dive tbh. About time we cheat for wins/points. Our honesty/class gets us fuck all. Dirty tactics needed at my club
— Dedication 2, Track 2. (@AmpliaLaFamilia) March 15, 2018
Danny Welbeck did dive, it’s not good but to think that goal made the slightest bit of difference in the tie is absolute stupidity. Arsenal were never under threat the entire tie. Deserved winners.
— Connor (@TikiTakaConnor) March 16, 2018
Welbeck dives once and Arsenal are a disgrace to the game. Kane and Alli dive most games and not a word is said. The media can stick their double standards up their arse
— Steph ⚽️ (@stephpgold) March 16, 2018
Decent guy Welbeck does a disgraceful dive and the media goes into a frenzy.
Disgraceful guy Deli Alli becomes decent at diving but is still a golden boy.
— Arsenal Analysed (@ArsenalAnalysed) March 15, 2018
Welbeck didn’t dive, he FELL at decisive moment, like usual… 😂
Surprisingly he took the penalty well. The mystery of Welbeck.— Jalan Arsenal (@JalanArsenal) March 15, 2018
Funny thing is Welbeck didn’t even dive. He tripped over his own feet and thought he got fouled 😂
— Marcoh 👺 (@futbolmarcoh) March 15, 2018