As tempers rose both on and off the game, Arsenal pre-season friendly against Manchester United took a dramatic turn as a video of their fans fighting each other went viral
Arsenal lost 2-0 to Man Utd.
Arsenal lost 2-0 to Manchester United in the match that took place in New York, but the final score only told part of the tale. The hostility between the teams permeated the audience, causing a brawl among the supporters as United lost sight of what a “friendly” game meant on the field.
Watch video of Arsenal fans fighting with each other during friendly vs Man Utd goes viral on Twitter
On Saturday night, an ordinary preseason game proved anything but ordinary for Arsenal. Despite losing to Manchester United 2-0, it was United’s aggressive on-field style that stood out. Even though Arsenal’s loss was notable, the evening’s main focus was what occurred off the pitch.
The players looked very aggressive.
The match between Arsenal and MetLife Stadium on Saturday night featured plenty of contact, with one team appearing more eager to make a statement. When Lisandro Martinez surged at Bukayo Saka, prompting tempers to flare on the pitch, the fans witnessed more than just a friendly. That was just one of many shoddy tackles made by United players.
Martinez received a booking for the late “tackle,” which was typical of the defender’s forceful play, and he can count himself lucky it wasn’t red. Martin Odegaard, the captain of Arsenal, jumped in right away to defend Saka. Players like Mason Mount, William Saliba, and Luke Shaw subsequently stepped in to diffuse the tension.
Watch a fan brawl in the stand during the friendly
Arsenal showed more fight in the stands than they did on the pitch.https://t.co/SwwwFSD0J7
— Privilege Mufc ๐พ๐ช (@privilege_mufc) July 23, 2023
Maybe Twitter can help find the absolute coward in the blue polo who ONLY sucker punched every time he got involved and then RAN away like a bitch when the cops came. He started everything and then ran away. Absolutely bitch made. #Arsenal #ManchesterUnited #ARSMAN #fight pic.twitter.com/rn1wJDikKf
— Joseph (@joegaenzle) July 23, 2023
big fight during #manunited v #arsenal at metlife stadium new york pre season friendly #fights #fight #soccer #football #twitter #metlife pic.twitter.com/eTuH6OD3dS
— James (@James27990754) July 23, 2023
The tension didn’t just exist in the pitch. The viewers’ area was disrupted by a fight between fans. Security staff were forced to step in when the situation descended into punching matches between spectators. Mikel Arteta was questioned about United’s aggressive style after the game. He had shouted at the referees, “It’s a f**king joke,” as Erik Ten Hag’s players continued to collide with their Arsenal rivals. Arteta responded, “They are here to compete and to win, just like we are, and that’s the referee’s job to stop it,” before continuing.
The game’s primary target for United players, Bukayo Saka, was unimpressed with what had transpired. After the game, he stated that the loss is hard to take, whether it’s a friendly against United or not. He asserted that physically, their goal is to reach the level of last season, then move on to the next level and keep raising it.
However, they must comprehend their strategy, play accordingly, and maintain improvement throughout each game if they are to be prepared for the opening contest. The next game on Arsenal’s preseason schedule is against Barcelona on Thursday at 3.30 am.