Blanks from Gunners WEDNESDAY 19.04.2023
Players blasted for ‘ignoring’ mascot as they sign her top
ARSENAL players were slammed after they apparently ignored a young mascot while signing her football shirt.
A club video shows manager Mikel Arteta and his team filing past Olivia Murray, eight, and giving their autograph before Sunday’s 2-2 draw at West Ham.
The stars were branded entitled and rude as they seemingly failed to acknowledge her as she stared up in admiration.
They included captain Martin Odegaard, Olivia’s favourite, who wore his earphones before briskly signing the shirt and walking off.
Emile Smith
Rowe, Kieran
Tierney and
Bukayo Saka also gave their signatures.
Arsenal captioned the video “making memories with our mascot” but it sparked uproar among celebrities.
TV host Nick Knowles said Olivia should be invited back to give the players “another go at being decent human beings”. He tweeted: “Why doesn’t a single one of them actually say hello or even acknowledge the mascot?”
Arsenal fan and broadcaster Piers Morgan added: “Come on guys, at least one of you say hello to her?”
TalkSport host Laura Woods said the incident was symptomatic of modern football.
She added: “It doesn’t take a lot just to acknowledge somebody and [give] a little smile.”
But Olivia’s dad came to the players’ defence and shared a photo of his daughter with Odegaard.
Mr Murray wrote: “My daughter had a lovely time as Mascot for Arsenal.
“There was only a small window to meet the players and she enjoyed it very much. Odegaard is her favourite player so to hold his hand on to the pitch was very special.”
Arsenal was contacted for comment yesterday.