Arsenal are Premier League champions after a 22-year wait: their first title since the famous Invincibles season under Arsène Wenger in 2004. The title was sealed after Manchester City (serial champions, let’s not forget) failed to beat Bournemouth last night, handing Arsenal an unassailable lead at the top of the table with one game remaining. The team deserves all the plaudits for winning the Premier League, but what is it with Arsenal and their fans when it comes to celebrations? Why do they always go so over the top? It is cringeworthy stuff, reeking of a certain smug sense of undeserved entitlement, and enough to bring out the “celebration police” mentality in every other fan across the land.
What is it with Arsenal and their fans when it comes to celebrations?
Arsenal are a huge club. No one would seek to deny it. Yet everything about their latest incarnation screams small club mentality.
Emotional Gooners were seen hugging, chanting and climbing on to tables celebrating their league triumph. Supporters screamed, burst into tears and threw their arms around complete strangers. There were Arsenal chants of “Back where we belong!” One fan wrote on social media : “HISTORY MADE… London is RED. Enjoy every single second of this, Arsenal Fans!” Another added: “Get ready for the Arsenal dominance.” Hardly. It’s the first title in 22 years. Well done indeed, but do try to keep some sense of perspective. It is hard to imagine Manchester City (a supposedly smaller club) celebrating like this.
Just as toe-curling was the nonsense being spouted by some famous Arsenal
supporters. The Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer wrote on X: “22 long years for the Arsenal. But we’re back where we belong. Champions!”
The unbearable smugness of every Arsenal supporter is there for all to see in those deathly dull words right there. The actor Hugh Laurie posted: “Well heck. The Arsenal. What an amazing achievement. BPM150, dropping slowly.” Thanks, Hugh.
Ian Wright, Arsenal player and all-time legend, was seen leading some of the celebrations outside the ground, popping a bottle of champagne, hugging emotional supporters and being pictured with one fan’s young baby. Ian, we get it, you’re happy but steady on.
There was a time, long ago, when Arsenal
routinely won the league. Their fans back then took being top of the table for granted. Arsenal were also a team that plenty of neutrals respected. Things are different now and Arsenal fans have only themselves to blame. They are simply incontinent when it comes to their emotions. A few weeks back, after losing to Manchester City at the Etihad, their title dreams looked over. Plenty back then were calling for the manager’s head, as well as criticising the players for their lacklustre performances. It was all doom and gloom, just as over the top as their latest celebrations.
The players are no better when it comes to striking the wrong note. The brilliant Bukayo Saka was crowing on social media, saying that Arsenal critics are “not laughing anymore” after their league triumph. Well, yes they are. This time they’re laughing at you for going over the top.
The team were similarly accused of over-celebrating after reaching the Champions League final, following their victory over Atletico Madrid. Wayne Rooney, a player who knows a thing or two about winning titles on a routine basis, was right to pick up in match commentary that “the celebrations are a little bit too much”. Dead right, Wazza.
Arsenal fans say they never understand why others are bothered about the way they go about supporting their team. Well, the answer is obvious enough in the wild scenes in north London last night. Get a grip, Gooners.
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