Arsenal striker says he used to hate teammate, Gibbs

Welbeck joined Arsenal in the summer of 2014 from Premier League rivals Manchester United.

The striker started his professional career at United where he played against Gibbs at the youth level.

ALSO READ: Welbeck was gutted to miss Euro 2016

The current teammates were rivals when they met in the two-legged semi-final of the FA Youth Cup in March 2007.

Gibbs scored in the first leg at the Emirate Stadium before Welbeck netted the winning goal for United in the second leg at Old Trafford.

It is apparent there was no love lost between the players as Welbeck revealed that he did not like coming up against Gibbs.

“Obviously I and Gibbo are very close friends now but back then I used to hate him, to be honest,” the striker told Arsenal Albums video.

“He was bigger than me, faster than me, he was so strong and I was like, "what is this guy about?"

“He scored the first goal at the Emirates. The second leg was at Old Trafford and I scored the winner to knock Arsenal out.”

Welbeck who is working towards fitness after a long-term injury would be hoping to be in action when Arsenal travel to Liverpool for a Premier League clash on Saturday, March 4.