Ilkay Gundogan suffered knee ligament damage in Manchester City’s 2-0 win against Watford recently which will keep him out of football for a long time – but his team-mates’ tribute to him might have been a bit over the top.
Ahead of their game against Arsenal, City’s players walked out wearing tops with Gundogan’s name and shirt number on the front.
Man City players show their support for injured teammate Ilkay Gundogan before the match. pic.twitter.com/YSksFD5Iom
— Squawka News (@SquawkaNews) December 18, 2016
It all seemed a bit much.
Had Gundogan died? Just injured? Worst misuse of shirts since the Suarez incident
— Tony Evans (@TonyEvans92a) December 18, 2016
All a bit Brazil/Neymar this City and Gundogan thing.
— Alex Shaw (@AlexShawESPN) December 18, 2016
Some didn’t seem to have a problem with the gesture.
Manchester City's players are wearing Gundogan shirts in support of the German who suffered a serious injury earlier this week.
— City Watch (@City_Watch) December 18, 2016
But others were not so kind.
This is actually embarrassing. Gundogan is at home lads he's not dead pic.twitter.com/vFRiGyNR2W
— Adam (@DeGeaoIogy) December 18, 2016
Underway in the Gundogan memorial match.
— Coral (@Coral) December 18, 2016
City should retire the #8 shirt in honour of Ilkay Gündogan. #RIPGundogan
— ㅤㅤㅤ (@Schweinmaster) December 18, 2016
And when City went 1-0 behind early on…
Theo puts Arsenal 1-0 in the Gundogan Memorial Match.
— Oliver Spencer-Brunt (@oliver_swfc) December 18, 2016
…the jokes continued to arrive thick and fast.
Gundogan didn't die for this start
— GeorgeWeahsCousin (@WeahsCousin) December 18, 2016
Walcott shouldn't have celebrated out of respect for Gundogan's knee. Crass.
— Paul Willers (@PaulWillers1) December 18, 2016
Just to clarify: Ilkay Gundogan is not dead. He is very much alive.
