Arsenal Mascot: Gunners are in big danger of bottling the Premier League title this season, having spent all season at the top of the league. Points dropped at Liverpool and West Ham United could well and truly hurt them with question marks raised about the team’s morale and mentality to soak in the pressure in the crucial period of the season. However, not just their performance on the pitch but Arsenal players are also slammed for being rude off the field after the club’s social media post caught the players ‘ignoring’ a young mascot as they signed her shirt before their 2-2 draw to West Ham on Sunday. Follow Premier League News Updates on InsideSport.IN.
In the footage, manager Mikel Arteta and his players can be seen writing on a replica top while walking past eight-year-old Olivia Murray, but they don’t appear to acknowledge the girl as she admires them.
However, Olivia’s father defended the Arsenal camp insisting the video was only a ‘little window’ into the little girl’s day. Also, he shares a snap of her holding Odegaard’s hand.
Mr Murray’s tweet reads, ‘My daughter had a lovely time as Mascot for @Arsenal,’
He added, ‘There was only a small window to meet the players and she enjoyed it very much. Odegaard is her favourite player so to hold his hand onto the pitch was very special.’
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard who Olivia choose to be her favourite player in the matchday programme seemed least bothered with his earphones on signing the shirt quickly and leaving.
The Red North London outfit captioned the video stating, ‘making memories with our mascot’ and shared it on Twitter on Sunday, the move proved to be its own goal. Celebrities such as Nick Knowles, Laura Woods and Piers Morgan have criticised and bashed online.
I suggest @Arsenal you get her and her family back and give your players another go at being decent human beings – admittedly they’d have to be coached into it but it might be something that sticks with some of them if it’s pointed out https://t.co/cN7NA87Pi3
— Nick Knowles (@MrNickKnowles) April 17, 2023
TV Presenter Nick Knowles writes, ‘I suggest @Arsenal you get her and her family back and give your players another go at being decent human beings – admittedly they’d have to be coached into it but it might be something that sticks with some of them if it’s pointed out’.
Broadcaster and lifeline Arsenal fan Piers Morgan added, ‘Come on guys, at least one of you say hello to her?!!’
Despite the fact that Mikel Arteta’s team, who remain four points clear atop the Premier League table, surrendered an early two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with London rivals. The result further dampened the mood in the Arsenal camp, which was already not in a particularly good mood before the game against West Ham.