Rio Ferdinand has slammed Arsenal fans for booing after their defeat against Bournemouth. He labeled them ‘entitled bunch’, claiming they should have supported their players ahead of a big game.
The Gunners lost 2-1 against Bournemouth at the Emirates in the Premier League on Saturday, April 11. It marked their third defeat in four games across competitions. They also lost in the EFL Cup final against Manchester City and the FA Cup quarter-finals against Southampton.
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After the defeat against Bournemouth, Arsenal fans booed the players off. Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand shared his thoughts on it, saying on Rio Ferdinand Presents:
“It’s the most entitled bunch I’ve ever seen. Like, I don’t understand how you can be sitting there booing.”
When his co-host and an Arsenal fan tried to claim that there was context behind it, Ferdinand added:
“But you’re not helping your team then. If you’re booing your team, you’re not helping your team to go and win it.”
He further added:
“That’s football. That is football. That’s life. By the way, we’re top of the league with a cushion, let’s cheer the boys into Etihad, because it’s gonna be tough enough as it is to go up there and get anything out of that game.”
“Do you think the players are better off now than your fan base are booing them at the Emirates, going into the game at the Etihad? Do you think that leaves them in a good position?”
The Gunners next face Manchester City at the Etihad on Sunday, April 19.
Mikel Arteta apologised to Arsenal fans after defeat against Bournemouth
It was a poor performance from the Gunners against Bournemouth, who took the lead in the 17th minute through Eli Junior Kroupi. Arsenal got back in the game with Viktor Gyokeres converting a penalty in the 35th minute. However, as the Cherries pushed for a winner and got it through Tottenham Hotspur fan Alex Scott in the 74th minute.
In his post-match press conference, Mikel Arteta was asked for his message to the club’s fans, and he answered (h/t Arsenal.com):
“Apologise, take it on the chin and that’s it. What I’m trying to do is give our best to the club, give the best possibility to our players, and I know, if the atmosphere, the fans, the support, the energy in the stadium is the best in the world, we have a much better chance.”
“I don’t think that there’s any other possibility to perform better than when you have that kind of support. But then we have to respond, and we had moments in the first half where we did it, and there were other moments that we weren’t at our level. So, then we have to apologise to them and improve, for sure,” he added.
Arsenal sit atop the Premier League standings, six points above Manchester City, who have a game in hand.
Edited by Aditya Singh
