The rivalry between Arsenal and Manchester United is one of the biggest in the English top flight. Maybe not as big as it was some two decades ago but it’s still one of the biggest games of every league season, so it’s only expected that the occasion gets to some fans more than others and that results in actions such as the one during the win over United on Sunday which could put the Gunners in trouble with the Football Association.
A fan ran on to the pitch and shoved United defender Chris Smalling during his side’s away match against the Gunners at Emirates Stadium. The incident happened shortly after striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had converted a 69th-minute penalty to give the home side a 2-0 lead against the Red Devils. And after pushing Smalling, the man ran with his arms aloft towards the Gunners players celebrating their goal. Smalling was unhurt while the fan was taken off the pitch and arrested.
An Arsenal spokesperson said: “We utterly condemn the behaviour of the individual who ran on to the pitch and approached Chris Smalling during today’s match. We would like to apologise to Chris and Manchester United, and are pleased that [the spectator] was apprehended and arrested. We will be working closely with the Metropolitan Police in their investigation. The individual will also be banned from Arsenal matches home and away. Our match-day staff receive ongoing training on managing incidents such as this.”
Shortly after the match, a statement from the Metropolitan Police said: “A man has been arrested on suspicion of common assault and pitch invasion following an incident during the Arsenal v Man Utd game at the Emirates Stadium today. He is currently in custody at a north London police station.”
Arsenal boss Unai Emery said the incident was something he “did not want” to see and called on all fans to show “respect”. The incident came only hours after Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish was punched in the face by a spectator during Villa’s 1-0 derby win over city rival Birmingham City at St Andrew’s.