Arsenal ‘ultras’ cause a divided reaction over footage of them with flares and an atmosphere in front of police prior the West Ham game.
A big group of Gunners supporters were making their way to Emirates Stadium, and of course they are in good spirits considering the impressive form to the 2022/23 Premier League season so far.
They went into the World Cup break, five points clear of Manchester City, but they knew that victory over West Ham on Boxing Day would see them go eight clear of the current league holders, before their game against Leeds United on Wednesday.
There were plenty of flares, while many a song was chanted and even drums were brought out to help boost excitement ahead of the game with West Ham.
This is a different Arsenal… pic.twitter.com/7qS6J2VkrX
— Av (@aviv_lavi) December 26, 2022
You know there is a good feeling at Arsenal when even Arsene Wenger decides to turn up and watch them in action for the first time since he left the club in 2018.
Despite being dominant, Arteta’s side were rather poor first half, with fans trying to point out this would be the result to start their bottle in battling for the title.
They went in for half time at 1-0 down with Said Benrahma scoring his penalty, after William Saliba had fouled Jarrod Bowen.
The impressive Gunners that we know of this season so far came back out and lit up the second half, with Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Eddie Nketiah all finding the net.
The earlier atmosphere continued in the ground, with fans singing “There’s only one Arsene Wenger,” with the former manager waving back.
One Arsene Wenger ❤️ pic.twitter.com/gd756AtvxL
— Ahmed +5🔝 (@Ao7er) December 26, 2022
Player ratings (via Sky Sports)
Arsenal: Ramsdale (6), White (7), Saliba (6), Gabriel (6), Tierney (6), Partey (7), Xhaka (7), Odegaard (8), Saka (8), Martinelli (7), Nketiah (8).
Subs: Zinchenko (6), Vieira (n/a), Elneny (n/a).
West Ham: Fabianski (6), Coufal (6), Dawson (6), Kehrer (6), Cresswell (6), Soucek (6), Rice (7), Paqueta (6), Bowen (7), Benrahma (7), Antonio (6).
Subs: Fornals (n/a), Mubama (n/a).
Man of the match: Martin Odegaard.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta:
“I’m really happy with the performance first of all and then the result.
“Obviously, the context of the game was that they went a goal up, but you saw the reaction of this crowd, generating belief and just giving a lot of energy to the team and the team showed a lot of composure and real quality, but also real clarity to understand what the game demanded, and they executed that really well.
On title talk: “What I tell the players is we have to focus on us. We cannot control what the opponents are going to do, how good they are going to become or how many points they are going to get or drop, so we have to focus on our performance, what we are doing every day and what has brought us here.
“It is not a coincidence, so we need to keep doing what we are doing.
“We overcame a challenge and a difficult moment on top of injuries that we had with Jesus, Smith Rowe and Tomiyasu out. The team still believed and played to the level that they did again.”
West Ham boss David Moyes to Amazon Sport:
“I have been looking upwards, we have good players and ones who can compete right at the top. We need to start turning it into points and there have been others game where we should have taken more from them. Tonight I didn’t like the way we defended in the second half.”
On facing Brentford, Leeds, Wolves and Everton next: “A hugely important [run]. We have a good side and need to try picking up some points.”
West Ham captain Declan Rice:
“Nah. I don’t think it is. Every team has a blip but it is down to me as captain to keep pushing everyone and keep giving 100% on the pitch like everyone else to get the results. There are so many games to go, we still believe we are are a top team. We need to stop talking about it and need to show it.
“With the signings we have made, the quality is there. Now it is down to us to do it at both ends of the pitch.”
As mentioned, Arsenal ‘ultras’ cause a divided reaction over footage with flares in front of police prior the West Ham game…
@AW_CPFC: This is super cringey? Why do you guys think you’re European ultras?
@Greg0ry1999: That’s better! you English fans are kinda boring 😅
@Jason1112345: It’s like watching Napoli!’
@EmileDeCroydon: cannot wait for the city game
@MarcelloMarcton: Mikel Arteta has really done absolutely wonders at this club in regards the mood & belief of the fans in his team. Tears in my eyes mahn..😭😭
@WestHamViews09: Only in England is creating an atmosphere seen as embarrassing but…Will then moan the PL is stale, boring and like a theatre. Weird mentality.
@WillRenners: Love this! People will call you ‘cringe’ but the real cringe is how bad English atmospheres are these days. Once it builds and gets the stadium bouncing everyone will want a peice l.
@simon1989Gooner: Raises the team energy, unites fans, what’s the issue, best atmosphere at the Emirates since it was built, what’s the issue? Well done Lads!
@louis_n17: Making an atmosphere is fine and I’m all up for it but trying to look and act like thugs blacked out with hoods and ballys is the cringey part
@cooldjgaba: Is this arsenal or partizan Belgrade 🤣🤣🤣
@AdamJM1986: It’s ridiculous. Club and fans have been blasted for years for lack of atmosphere. Now a group are trying to change that and still getting criticised.
@markapostolou0: Just walked through that, proper hairs on back of your neck stuff! #ARSWHU #COYG
@richiewaldron1: Love it about time we had the ultras
@InaneGeek: Absolutely. More power to this. Been to loads of European games and the flags, flares and marches to the ground are awesome
@TheNotoriousMJT: If that was Ajax people would be retweeting it and calling it an immense atmosphere. I’ve no issues with it.
@PaulColclough4: Nothing wrong with that! I love European football for this very reason all credit to Arsenal for going at it!
@Long_LiveConnor: If this was Some club In Germany or Austria everyone would be lapping it up.
So many quote tweets on this are calling it “cringey” but they are all making an active effort to improve the atmosphere at Arsenal and back their team. Good luck to them for it. https://t.co/V17HJLMmUj
— HLTCO (@HLTCO) December 26, 2022
It’s a comment on the desire of so many English fans to pour scorn on those who actively try to make a difference to the atmosphere at their club. It’s something Palace have had every week for years. Is a comment only valid if it’s aggy?
— HLTCO (@HLTCO) December 26, 2022

You must be logged in to post a comment Login