The celebration police were out in full force after Sunday’s game (Pictures: Getty / X)
Ian Wright has hit out at fellow pundits and rival fans for criticising Arsenal’s celebrations after Sunday’s win over Liverpool and says Mikel Arteta and his players are well within their rights to enjoy the moment.
The Gunners could have fallen eight points behind the Premier League leaders but secured a 3-1 victory thanks to goals from Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard to move within two points of the Merseysiders.
There were wild scenes of celebration during and after the contest, with skipper Martin Odegaard criticised by Jamie Carragher for taking photos of club photographer Stuart MacFarlane.
Gary Neville also felt the celebrations were a sign of immaturity, while Rio Ferdinand took aim at Arteta for ‘doing laps of the ground’ and celebrating as though Arsenal had won the league.
But Gunners legend Wright, who was at the game, was livid with the criticism and mocking that came Arsenal’s way after the match and feels they should be allowed to savour such an important win against the side at the top of the Premier League table.
Reacting to all the criticism in a video post on X, Wright said: ‘The negativity towards my manager man, what has he done apart from celebrating a goal and celebrating his team?
‘Celebrating a team that is trying to beat these juggernauts, Liverpool and Manchester City.
‘And because he’s celebrating? Because Martin Odegaard is taking a picture with Stuart the photographer? A lifelong Gunner. This man has been supporting Arsenal since he was five or something ridiculous like that.
Arsenal’s players pose for photos in the dressing room (Picture: Getty)
‘Just taking a picture in front of the north bank, what’s wrong with the captain doing that?
‘It’s got nothing to do with the fact that we’ve just beaten Liverpool, that’s just an opportunity. Why is everybody trying to kill the joy? Don’t kill the joy.
‘There’s so much of the season to go. As soon as Arsenal do anything they just come under a pile-on. It’s like we can’t have any joy.
‘It’s like England at a World Cup or a Euros, as soon as England start doing well everyone is jumping on them!
‘It’s the same thing that happens with Arsenal. Don’t let them spoil the joy. Keep doing what you’re doing. Whatever is going to be will be. Do not kill the joy.
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‘My manager, celebrate with passion like you do, because that’s what it’s about.
‘People are expecting us to bottle it and lose these games and we’re going through it, we’re getting ourselves through, through injuries and everything, and the hatred is just so intense.
‘Just leave us alone. You lot can take the p**s if it doesn’t happen like you normally do. Leave us alone in the joy.
‘Enjoy Arsenal fans! Enjoy our moments! Because that’s all this game is: moments. And we had one tonight, we beat the great Liverpool who are top of the league. Up the Gunners!’
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