The Chelsea legend did not enjoy Tuesday night’s game one bit (Picture: Getty)
Chelsea legend Joe Cole could not resist a cheeky little swipe at Arsenal supporters and their exuberant celebrations after Tuesday’s thumping 5-0 win for the Gunners.
It took just four minutes for the north Londoners to take the lead against Chelsea at the Emirates, with Leandro Trossard easing any Premier League title jitters with a smart near-post finish.
Chelsea threatened to cause Arsenal’s back-line some problems on the break, though it was the home side who always looked more likely to add to their lead.
They had to wait until the second half to do so, bagging quick-fire goals shortly after the restart through Ben White and Kai Havertz.
That pair both netted again as Arsenal ran riot and the result sees them move three points clear at the top of the Premier League table, though Liverpool have one game in hand and Manchester City have two.
Arsenal supporters were understandably in a jubilant mood after swatting aside their London rivals – though former Chelsea winger Cole feels they may have got a little carried away.
The 42-year-old was at the Emirates on punditry duty for TNT Sports but skipped Mikel Arteta’s post-match interview after a chastening defeat for his old club.
‘I was in the back of the cab ready to go home but they told me I had to come back to work,’ joked Cole after being asked where he was during Arteta’s interview.
He added: ‘No interest in [hanging around to hear Arteta].’
Fellow pundit – and Arsenal legend – Martin Keown could not help himself and aimed a little dig at Cole and Chelsea, saying: ‘A bit like Chelsea’s team he went missing!’
That didn’t go down too well with Cole, with Keown’s quip seeing him join the fabled celebration police: ‘Wow! All I will say is, I heard fireworks from the Arsenal fans. I think that’s a bit early with five [sic] games to go. Celebrations were a bit too much.’
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Arsenal have often been criticised for their rather overzealous celebrations in the past, with Martin Odegaard blasted by Jamie Carragher earlier this year when he took a photo of the club’s official photographer following a win over Liverpool.
‘Just get down the tunnel, you’ve won a game,’ said Carragher on Sky Sports at the time.
‘Three points, you’ve been brilliant, back in the title race. Get down the tunnel!’
Arsenal are next in action on Sunday in a massive north London derby away at Tottenham, by which time they could be back in second place if Liverpool win their upcoming matches against Everton and West Ham.
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