Ian Wight has hit back at the negativity that has come the way of Mikel Arteta and his Arsenal players for celebrating their 3-1 win over Liverpool on Sunday evening.
There were jubilant scenes at the Emirates following the full-time whistle, with Arteta racing around in joy and members of his squad soaking in the atmosphere on the pitch as the despondent Reds headed down the tunnel.
A talking point soon emerged when Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard stopped to borrow the camera of club photographer Stuart MacFarlane to take a snap of him. After seeing this moment unfold, Jamie Carragher urged the home side to “get down the tunnel” having seemingly grown frustrated at the Gunners’ overzealous celebrations.
Shutting down the idea Arsenal overdid it after the match, however, Wright recorded a passionate speech on social media demanding rival supporters to ‘leave us alone’.
“The negativity towards my manager, man,” began the 60-year-old. “What has he done apart from celebrating a goal, celebrating his team trying to beat these juggernauts: Liverpool and Man City? Because he is celebrating and Martin Odegaard is taking a picture with the photographer, a lifelong Gunner who has been supporting Arsenal since he was five, what’s wrong with the captain doing that?
“It’s got nothing to do with the fact we beat Liverpool, it’s just an opportunity. Why is everyone trying to kill the joy? Don’t kill the joy. There is so much of the season to go.
“As soon as Arsenal do anything, they come under the pile-on. It’s like England at a World Cup or Euros: as soon as they start doing well, everyone is jumping on them. Do not kill the joy.
“My manager, celebrate with passion, like you do, because that’s what it’s about. People are expecting us to bottle it and lose these games and we’re getting ourselves through it.
“The hatred is so intense, leave us alone! Enjoy Arsenal fans, enjoy our moments because that’s all this game is: moments. We had one tonight, we beat the great Liverpool. Up the Gunners.”
