Marli Salmon’s showboating against Reading U21 for the Arsenal U21s has hit social media, and it’s fair to say it’s triggered quite the discussion.
Salmon is well on his way to becoming the next Arsenal academy product to break through into Mikel Arteta’s first team.
Salmon currently plays for Arsenal’s U21 side, which is still years above his age group, but he’s just shown that he’s more comfortable than ever.
When Arsenal U21 faced Reading U21 in the Premier League 2, Salmon captained the side and played 90 minutes, but he generated attention aside from his superb performance.
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Arsenal fans argue about Marli Salmon showboating against Reading U21
With two minutes of stoppage time remaining, Salmon was seen showboating against Reading U21, which eventually ended in him drawing a foul as the opposition lashed out in response to his cheekiness.
Salmon was so good against Reading, but on social media, some Arsenal fans were concerned about what Arteta might think about the teen’s decision to juggle the ball and showboat.
To trigger the discussion, one fan posted the footage on X and wrote, “This may well be controversial, but I don’t like this from Marli Salmon. Arteta won’t either.”
A fellow Gooner agreed, replying, “They’re gonna rip you in the replies but you’re not wrong… it’s a non-negotiable to show respect to your opponents in today’s game. Good learning experience for him, though, I’m sure Arteta will talk to him about this.”
Others also agreed that Salmon should eliminate that side of his game.
“It was very petulant. He’s only 16, he’ll learn,” as a fellow Arsenal fan said, “Just basic etiquette. But he’s extremely young, even for that level, so he will learn.”
Arsenal fans have mixed feelings about Marli Salmon showboating against Reading U21, where do YOU stand?
Those fans didn’t like what Salmon did, but others thought the complete opposite.
“I love it. Football is missing this,” an Arsenal fan wrote on X.
A fellow X user posted, “Oh mate give over he’s not gonna do it for the first team is he.”
Another fan wasn’t impressed that the other Gooner called Salmon out for it.
“It’s almost full time, so the young lads can’t express themselves while enjoying the win?”
Others got their point across by being entirely sarcastic, “Yeah let’s continue to strip the joy out the game, why not? I mean why should the players enjoy themselves how dare they.”
It was a passage of play that split the opinion of Arsenal fans in two, but both sides will agree that it would be fascinating to know what Arteta thought of that moment.
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