Football fans can be a bit over the top at times and Arsenal supporters are no different in that respect.
Whether it be an overreaction to a result or a transfer not quite coming off, or an emotional reaction in the stands, we’ve all been there over the years.
However, one of the more recent trends in modern football is the rise of fans insistent that they get memorabilia signed, such as shirts, balls and boots.
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In the main, we see plenty of footballers and managers fulfil these requests.
At times, though, things can go too far and after Mikel Arteta was filmed ignoring a very insistent Arsenal fan after the Wigan game, there’s been a huge stir on social media.
Arsenal fans on Mikel Arteta’s side after fan interaction
For context on this clip, Arteta was seen leaving the ground in his car, at night, and was stuck in the traffic getting away from The Emirates.
Upon stopping, an emotional and perhaps over-zealous supporter persistently demonstrated for Arteta to wind down his window and sign his shirt, a request the Arsenal boss ignored.
There were some criticisms of Arteta for this but in the main, Arsenal fans had his back over on X.
‘Brilliant from Arteta, people need to stop begging for autographs’ one fan wrote in response.
Another also backed the Gunners boss, adding:
“I don’t blame Arteta one bit. He has his family in the car and he waved his hand and said no. People should learn to respect you, no?’
With safety later pointed out by some journalists as the reason for the window not coming down, some fans had already picked up on this.
“The reason he didn’t sign the autograph is obviously safety’ one fan wrote, while another called the autograph hunter ‘utter cringe’ for being so persistent.
That theme continued on as well, as another fan claimed:
“He signs one and what do you think happens next? He has his family in the car as well!’
The Arsenal fan here needs to hang their head in shame
People can have their own say on this and there might be a legitimate reason why this fan seemed so desperate to get the shirt signed.
However, the fans backing Arteta are right here. There is a huge safety issue here with the Gunners boss having his family in the car.
If he opens that window and is swarmed by supporters, it becomes a horrible situation for his children and wife, not least the man himself.
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Furthermore, Arteta and the Arsenal players are spotted regularly signing countless autographs and posing for photos before and after games.
Ultimately, this particular supporter has come out looking like the villain here. It was fine to ask, but once Arteta said no, they should have moved away respectfully.
To stand insisting something was done, and then for the footage to get to social media like it was Arteta in the wrong, is just plainly incorrect.
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