‘Cringe F.C’ – Arsenal gesture before win over Tottenham left talkSPORT host baffled
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talkSPORT host Jason Cundy was left rather baffled by Arsenal’s tribute to striker Gabriel Jesus before the victory over Tottenham.
Mikel Arteta’s side closed the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool with a 2-1 triumph over their north London rivals at the Emirates Stadium.
A deflected Heung-min Son strike gave Spurs the lead against the run of play but two goals for Arsenal in the space of four first-half minutes turned the derby around.
The equaliser came from a corner as Gabriel headed Declan Rice’s deep cross in-off Dominic Solanke before Leandro Trossard fired the ball through Spurs goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky with his left foot.
One player who played no part in the win was Jesus, who is out for the rest of the season after he suffered an ACL injury during their FA Cup defeat to Manchester United.
As the two teams walked out onto the pitch before the game, the Arsenal players showed their support for the Brazilian by donning shirts with his name and squad number, with the message: “Stay strong Gabby.”
Many would consider it a great show of team spirit by the Gunners, but the gesture left former Chelsea player Cundy feeling rather cringed out.
Cundy felt it wasn’t needed, citing how West Ham players didn’t wear shirts for Michail Antonio after his serious car crash in December, with his injuries far more severe.
“I want to get some thoughts on this from the Gooners as well. Before the game, every single Arsenal player came out with a shirt on. With Gabriel Jesus’ name at the top, number 9,” Cundy said on The Sports Bar.
“And at the back said, ‘Stay strong Gabby’. What’s that all about? Honestly, Cringe F.C you lot.
“Michail Antonio nearly died in a car crash… the players didn’t come out with things like that on their backs?
“It felt a little bit cringey to me.”
The Gunners have developed something of a reputation for cringey behaviour among rival fans, making chants about set-pieces and regularly celebrating the award of throw-ins.
Arsenal doubled down on the Jesus gesture post-match, with manager Mikel Arteta dedicating the win to the former Manchester City star.
“He has a very special character,” Arteta said on Jesus. “He suffered a lot in previous year with injuries and when he was coming back to his best he gets hit with that one.
“So yeah, we wanted to win for him and hopefully he appreciated that.”
Midfielder Declan Rice added: “It was terrible, honestly. We feel for him because I can honestly say this guy, the way he worked in training and how much football means to him, it was a real kick in the teeth for all of us.
“But look, it is what it is. We have to move on.
“We will be with him. You see the shirts we wore for him tonight.
“He’ll be back soon to support us and I think the lads now up front in that department know we have to keep delivering and every player has to contribute in that area.”
