Sky Sports Pundit and former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher criticised Arsenal and Odegaard for their celebrations after beating league leaders Liverpool 3-1.
What did Carragher say?
Odegaard was seen taking pictures of Arsenal’s cameraman in front of the Arsenal crowd at full-time. This tipped Carragher over the edge, he said: “Just get down the tunnel, you’ve won a game. Three points, you’ve been brilliant, back in the title race. Get down the tunnel!”
Carragher was quick to get abuse from Gunners fans online with Piers Morgan getting in on the action. He tweeted: “Calm down, calm down, @Carra23 – we battered you, and we’re going to enjoy every second.”
Ex-Arsenal striker Ian Wright also defended his team: “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!”
However, Carragher’s comments were backed up by former Manchester United greats Gary Neville and Rio Ferdinand.
Ferdinand and Neville’s reaction
Neville and Ferdinand have a combined 14 Premier league titles. Their reaction to Arsenal’s celebrations sparked some debate over whether the Gunners are serious title challengers.
Neville said: “I always doubted whether this Arsenal team [could win the title], just looking at some of the things that were happening.
Oleksandr Zinchenko celebrating an hour after the game with the fans outside the stadium and screaming.
You want your leaders in the team, who have been there before to spread composure around the dressing room and calm everybody down.
You don’t want them to lift the anxiety, lift the emotion.”
Ferdinand said: ‘Today [Sunday] is definitely worth celebrating, they’ve beaten one of the big teams and the title race opens up as a result.
“But I do wish Arteta would behave a lot better than he does, he has returned to being the way he was persistently last year. I just wish he had a little more class about him,’ in a damning indictment of the Spanish manager’s displays of emotion on the touchline.”
Arteta ran down the touchline after Arsenal’s third goal which sealed the deal for the Gunners.
What was Odegaard’s response?
Arsenal captain Odegaard was asked if the post-match celebrations were over the top and he responded: “No, I think everyone who loves football, who understands football, they know how much it means to win this game.
We keep working hard and we prepare for the next one, but of course you have to be happy when you win.
“It was a massive game. It could have been eight points [the gap to Liverpool if Arsenal lost] and it would look a lot more difficult then, but we showed up, the fans were unbelievable.
“I think we all did this together. You see the club, how together we are, all the players, staff, supporters, everything. So yeah, brilliant to see.
“If you’re not allowed to celebrate when you win a game, when are you allowed to celebrate? We’re happy with the win and we’ll stay humble.”
Arsenal’s title chances
After the 3-1 win over Liverpool, Arsenal are now just two points behind league leaders Liverpool. However, Manchester City have two games in hand over both Liverpool and Arsenal and they could go top of the league before either team plays in the Premier League again.
Arsenal will be knocked down to third if Manchester City win their match against Brentford on the Monday Night Football.
The match will be broadcasted on Sky Sports Premier League with an 8pm kick-off. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the match > Brentford vs Manchester City Tips – Bet On Both Teams To Score (sportslens.com)
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