What Arsenal players did during Tottenham win as ‘celebration police’ slammed once again

Arsenal have become the target of the celebration police once again for their actions during the 4-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur in the North London Derby

Here we go again, the celebration police are back and bigger than ever!

Arsenal came away from the North London Derby with a 4-1 victory and while sitting in the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium press box has its perks (great cheese board by the way), it turns out there was a benefit I was completely unaware of until I’d got home.

To give a glimpse behind the curtain, I always enjoy sticking in the earphones and listening back to the highlights and eventually the full match after most games. You get a different perspective from the television cameras from sitting in the ground.

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Each ground is different; some press boxes are high up with near-bird’s eye views, like the Bernabeu or San Siro, or when watching either Arsenal or Spurs, for example, the view is much closer to the pitch, and you feel closer to the level of the players.

Yet, one of the things that the majority of those who watched the derby would have been exposed to in the UK on Sky Sports commentary was the co-commentary from Gary Neville. What we’re discussing is far from a first offence, and in fact, I remember the derby a couple of seasons ago when, after Bukayo Saka scored a penalty, Son Heung-min scored a minute later to level.

Neville was making comments over the celebrations too. I am more than happy to be shown otherwise, but I just never get the sense that any other club’s celebrations during or after matches get the same energy as Arsenal's do.

After Viktor Gyokeres had put his side 2-1 up away from home at Tottenham, these were the comments from Neville. “They don’t want to be over-celebrating that! Get back! Concentrate on your job," he said.

The former Manchester United play then goes on to speak about Gyokeres, but that being the first reaction… come on. It’s the North London Derby. The biggest rival clash in the country for drama and excitement. It’s one of the few rivalries left at the top level that captures that magic that other derbies have since lost.

But with Arsenal scoring it’s: ‘Now now lads, none of that…’

Chris Sutton, another previous offender when it comes to the celebration police, was at it as well on the BBC. He said: “Slightly concerned with the over-celebrating from the Arsenal players. Celebrate at the end of the season when you have won the title.”

Seriously, how miserable is our existence in this sport that we criticise celebrations? This is the biggest win of Arsenal’s season so far at a critical point following a damaging midweek draw at Wolves.

Just enjoy it, for goodness’ sake!

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