Arsenal fans have heaped praise on striker Danny Welbeck after he scored his fifth goal in as many games to help steer Arsene Wenger’s side into the semi-finals of the Europa League.
The Gunners drew 2-2 with CSKA Moscow last night to record a 6-3 aggregate win over the Russian side.
Travelling to the VEB Arena with a 4-1 advantage from their first-leg victory at The Emirates, Arsenal got off to a nervy start and were punished for some slack defending late in the first-half by Fyodor Chalov, who prodded home after Petr Cech’s parried save.
And the Russians doubled their advantage five minutes into the second period when Kirill Nababkin again pounced after Petr Cech failed to catch Aleksandr Golovin’s audacious long-shot.
After a week of dramatic comebacks in Europe – namely AS Roma and Juventus – Arsenal fans were fearing the worst, however their nerves were calmed when man of the moment Danny Welbeck produced a moment of brilliance to restore his side’s two-goal advantage on aggregate.
Welbeck displayed a fine piece of skill on the left-flank to turn past goal-scorer Nababkin, before playing a neat one-two with Man of the Match Mohamed Elneny and finding the top corner with a first time finish from the middle of the box.
https://twitter.com/ArsenalEdits___/status/984532380001226755
Aaron Ramsey then levelled the scores in injury time with his seventh goal in eight games to send the Gunners through to the competition’s last four where they take on La Liga giants Atletico Madrid.
Welbeck’s goal was his fifth in his last three Europa League games after he netted twice against Moscow in the first leg and twice against AC Milan in the previous round.
And the Arsenal fans will certainly be hoping for more of the same from in the in-form Englishman when they welcome Atleti to The Emirates later this month …
Not to take attention away from the fact we were absolutely on the ropes for 70 minutes tonight but my god Welbeck is better than Pele, Maradona, Messi & Ronaldo put together
— Chris Dixon (@chrismd10) April 12, 2018
https://twitter.com/RedLacazette/status/984531911514128385
That was world class from Welbeck. Turn, run, 1-2, finish. Thought I was watching Thierry Henry for a minute.
— AFCAMDEN (@AFCAMDEN) April 12, 2018
Football fans being shown masterclasses from Salah, Ronaldo and Welbeck in the same week.
— FK (@fkhanage) April 12, 2018
THE BIGGEST OF GAMES. THE BIGGEST OF NAMES. Daniel Nii Tackie Mensah Welbeck.
— FK (@fkhanage) April 12, 2018
Danny Welbeck. Not the hero we deserve, but the one we need.
— Paddy (@PaddyArsenal) April 12, 2018
Say what you like about Welbeck (and I’ve said plenty), but his work ethic is incredible – his pace, power, tenacity, versatility and aerial threat make him a very useful player. If he could finish more consistently he’d be worth an absolute fortune. Outshone Lacazette tonight.
— Arsène's Son 🎈 (@hughwizzy) April 12, 2018
YEEEESSSSSSSS OHHHHH MY GOOOODDDDDD THAT IS THE MOST AMAZING THING @DannyWelbeck THE GOAT HAS EVER DONE FOR @Arsenal!!!!!
DANNY WELBECK YOU BEAAAAUUUTYYYYY!!!!!! 🔥🔥😍😍😍😫🔥😫🎯🎯🎯🎯
— Moh Haider (@ArsenalMoh8) April 12, 2018
https://twitter.com/DeIudedWenger/status/984561294299815937
https://twitter.com/gunnerblog/status/984562307681353728
Five goals in his last four starts for Danny Welbeck. Perfect form going into the World Cup this summer. #CSKAvAFC
— Chris Wheatley (@ChrisWheatley) April 12, 2018