Arsenal have been criticized for a video that has gone viral. Prior to the recent Premier League encounter with West Ham United (2-2). the Gunners a video on their Twitter account. This shows the players signing a shirt for one of their mascots. However, the club was subsequently widely criticized after supporters commented that none of the players made contact with the girl.
Among others, the presenters Piers Morgan and Laura Woods, both big Arsenal fans, were critical. “Come on guys, at least one of you say hello to her?!!” Morgan wrote on Twitter. Woods and former pro football player Ally McCoist called the video “disappointing” and “shocking” talkSPORT.
Come on guys, at least one of you say hello to her?!! https://t.co/Ri3KH5Yd76
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) April 18, 2023
“Making memories with our mascot,” Arsenal captioned the video. Woods found it quite illustrative. “It’s a bit disappointing. I have contacted the club. I think they published the video with the thought: all the players stopped and signed the shirt, this is great. But maybe that in itself is the problem. The club have said it’s part of the matchday experience, so that’s not the only interaction they’ve had with the players. She was a mascot, she also went on the field and would have been on the field during the warm-up. There are many things we don’t see.”
Woods understands signing the mascot’s shirt may be routine for the players, but believes the players could at least make eye contact. “I looked at that little girl and her face and she’s waiting for eye contact or some kind of acknowledgment.” BBC presenter Nick Knowles also denounced the players. “I suggest Arsenal re-invite the girl and her family so that the players can once again behave like decent people – admittedly they do need to be trained but maybe some of them will stick with it if they are pointed out .”
However, the girl’s father has assured Arsenal supporters that his daughter’s experience as a mascot was “very special”. “My daughter had a wonderful time as a mascot for Arsenal. There was only a limited time to meet the players and she really enjoyed it. Ødegaard is her favorite player, so to hold his hand when entering the field was very special.”
My daughter had a lovely time as Mascot for @Arsenal. There was only a small window to meet the players and she enjoyed it very much. Odegaard is her favorite player so to hold his hand onto the pitch was very special. pic.twitter.com/SXNTMK4Ab9
— JMurray (@muzzygoona) April 18, 2023