There is a reason why football is also referred to as the beautiful game. It has the ability to produce some unforgettable moments while bringing people together through the good and the bad. Yet, here I am in 2022, responding to criticism about players, managers and fans celebrating a victory. What a sad and funny world we live in.
As an Arsenal fan, I've become used to all of the negativity that often surrounds the football club that I love, but this particular take is incredibly out of touch. When Ruben Neves first made a dig about the way Arsenal celebrated their well-earned win away at Wolves last season, I laughed. At that moment, you are bound to be disappointed, angry and a little bit salty, It's understandable.
However, what has been said following the Gunners' dramatic late win against Fulham on Saturday is quite simply disrespectful. It's probably not too much of a surprise that the comments came from punditry duo Richard Keys and Andy Gray, given that they don't know what respect is, but still.
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Mikel Arteta and his team had just secured a win that maintained their 100% start to the new Premier League season and ensured they stayed at the top of the table. Additionally, it signalled the end of an eight-year trend in which Arsenal had failed to come from behind and win after losing in the second half, which is pretty incredible when you think about it.
Despite so many positives and reasons to celebrate when the full-time whistle was blown, Keys and Gray decided that going down the praising route wasn't for them, shock. "It's Fulham, and they trailed at one time," Keys said on beIN SPORTS. "Yeah, well played, you came back to win it, and they keep their 100 per cent record intact, but they haven't won the title tonight. They have won a London derby. They're four games into the season. Look at the manager."
Gray then joined in by claiming the celebrations were "overhyped" despite admitting that he liked what he was seeing from Arsenal just a few minutes earlier before Keys continued his embarrassing rant. "I can't hide the fact that I find him extremely irritating, Arteta. He was waving his arms around like a windmill for ninety minutes as if anybody could hear him let alone see him, and he's never in his technical area. They've over celebrated this. It's a two-one win against newly promoted Fulham."
A lot can be taken away and dissected from the quotes, but let me just touch on a couple of things in particular. What on earth makes Keys think he is in a position to tell anyone how to celebrate? If I were ever looking for advice on how to behave, he would be the last person I'd turn to.
Secondly, there was absolutely no respect shown towards Mikel Arteta, the players, the fans or even Fulham. What Arteta has done at Arsenal so far should be applauded. He has turned things around, built a very competitive team and brought everyone associated with the club closer together. Also, "he's never in his technical area," does someone want to tell him?
Keys can say that his comments were solely towards the manager and players all he likes, but the clear sniggers when the camera was focused on the supporters suggest that's far from the truth. Fans pay
extortionate prices to watch their team play football, especially at Arsenal. They have every right to enjoy themselves and saviour every moment. Considering what everybody has been through recently and the cost of living crisis that so many are now dealing with, who knows what tomorrow might bring.
Lastly, although Fulham may be a newly promoted side, they arrived at the Emirates Stadium unbeaten in their opening three matches of the season. So again, I don't really get the significance of highlighting the whole promotion thing. I also found it quite ironic that the term 'London derby' was mentioned, yet apparently, coming out on top in one of them is no reason to celebrate. Make it make sense.
At the end of the day, if all you can do is berate a club and its fanbase for enjoying a win in football, then I think you need to give your head a wobble and realise just how pathetic you sound. This wonderful sport can be escapism for so many. It's just a shame that certain people have to try and dampen it for others. Says a lot about them, doesn't it?
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