Theo Walcott goal celebration cut short after Arsenal forward is completely poleaxed by team-mate Olivier Giroud
Walcott had turned to celebrate with his colleagues only for Giroud to send him flying through the air
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Your support makes all the difference.Whether he was annoyed that his team-mate was able to do what he failed to achieve in 90 minutes, or just simply let his excitement get the better of him, it’s fair to say Olivier Giroud allowed his celebrations to go one step too far after Theo Walcott scored the equaliser in Arsenal’s 2-1 victory over Leicester on Sunday.
While Arsenal were able to prevail courtesy of an injury-time Danny Welbeck header, Giroud was locked in a battle with Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel throughout the match – the Denmark international pulling off an incredible instinct save to deny Giroud late-on.
However, while it was a moment to appreciate as the two expressed their mutual respect for the other having locked horns just minutes before, it would not be Giroud’s defining moment of the match.
That came in the aftermath of Walcott’s calm finish. As the England forward turned to celebrate with his team-mates while running back to his own half – Arsenal determined to go on and find the winner that would get them back in the title race – Giroud entered from left-field and promptly barged into his own team-mate, sending Walcott flying through the air and comically out of view from the camera.
Given Walcott’s alarming injury record over the years, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will have been forgiven for reacting with an air of caution, but thankfully for the Frenchman Walcott quickly returned to his feet with a grin on his face and carried on his retreat to his own half for the restart.
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Only Theo Walcott could get a potential injury during a goal celebration. #ARSLEI pic.twitter.com/UCostZfBED
— 888sport (@888sport) February 14, 2016
The sheer delight seen among the Arsenal players was echoed when Welbeck scored the late winner on his return from a near 10-month injury lay-off, having suffered serious knee damage in the 0-0 draw with Chelsea last April.
Welbeck will hope to play a pivotal role for Arsenal over the remainder of the season after announcing his comeback in style, but he will have one eye on regaining his place in Roy Hodgson’s England squad ahead of this summer’s Euro 2016 Championship.
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