Sir Keir Stamer congratulated Arsenal’s heroes after they returned to the Premier League summit.
Labour leader Starmer was a guest at Stamford Bridge for Arsenal’s London derby win over Chelsea as Mikel Arteta’s title-chasers overtook Manchester City at the top of the table. Arsenal fan Starmer, who says he escapes politics by going to the Emirates with his pals, went down the tunnel after the game and greeted the players in the dressing room.
Former Prime Minister Tony Blair is a Newcastle fan and ex-Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn previously posed with Arsenal mascot Gunnersaurus. Starmer knows being a football fan can also be a vote-winner, with Labour enjoying an even bigger lead in the polls than Arsenal at the top of the table.
After the game, Arteta finally admitted Arsenal are in the title race. Gunners defender Gabriel scored the second-half winner as Arsenal reclaimed top spot in the Premier League from Pep Guardiola’s City. Arteta, who was taking charge of his 150th game, has been reluctant to talk up Arsenal’s chances but admitted they are in the hunt - at least for the moment.
The Arsenal boss said: “We are [in the title race] today. But in football, today and tomorrow is a very different. So let’s enjoy this time. But do something: just look at the last six years, what Manchester City have done. With the best manager in the world, the best team in the world. They have shown it consistently in every single competition.
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“We have to be very very respectful of that. We are getting much better as a team and competing much better. We are getting really good results right now, but this is a long long marathon.
“We were under pressure because we lost the top spot. I’m really happy because they’ve done that step. It was a big win for us. It’s another step for us I think. To come here against a top opponent, top world class players all over the pitch, dominate the game and actually win it is very meaningful. Hopefully it will give the boys even more belief. I was really impressed.
“We are a young team, but we showed a lot maturity today, a lot of composure, a lot courage to play on this stage the way we have played. That’s easy to say but actually very difficult to do. I think the boys were absolutely phenomenal today.”
