ARSENAL’S stars looked more like they had just suffered relegation as they lifted “silverware” ahead of the new season.
Mikel Arteta’s team beat Monaco 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw at the Emirates last night.
Fans trolled Arsenal after they got their hands on ‘silverware’ last night
EMIRATES CUP CHAMPIONS.
#afc pic.twitter.com/qXwRN57GrT
— afcstuff (@afcstuff) August 2, 2023
Youssouf Fofana had given the French visitors the lead before Eddie Nketiah equalised before half-time.
But with neither team able to force a winner in the second period, it required a penalty shoot-out for Arsenal to lift the Emirates Cup after Aaron Ramsdale saved an absolute piledriver from former Liverpool striker Takumi Minamino.
The trophy, named after the Gunners’ main sponsors, was flanked by Emirates Airline attendants as it was presented to captain Martin Odegaard afterwards as he was surrounded by his colleagues behind a huge ‘winners’ sign.
But the Norwegian star and his team-mates did not seem to be in the celebratory mood as he reluctantly lifted their prize while his pals eventually clapped half-heartedly.
“This is the most hilarious trophy lift I have ever seen,” said one before they added: “These guys even forgot to clap at first.”
Another observed: “Probably wouldn’t have lifted it if he had that option.”
A fellow fan commented that Odegaard “looked embarrassed lifting the trophy”.
While another wrote: “None of the players wanted to hold the cup.”
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Arsenal, who have suffered a huge injury blow to Gabriel Jesus, will be hoping to get their hands on some real silverware this term following last season’s title collapse.
They blew an eight-point title lead to hand Manchester City a third successive crown last term and earned themselves a place in the all-time list of title blow-ups.
The Gunners even broke the record as the side leading the top-flight for the longest time in a season without winning it.
Arsenal topped the Prem for an incredible 248 days – but a shock defeat at Nottingham Forest on May 20 finally confirmed Man City as champions.
Having now come to terms with that disappointment, Arteta’s side go into the 2023/24 campaign with renewed optimism with the additions of Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber and Kai Havertz.
They face City in the Community Shield on Sunday before starting the Premier League season at home to Forest on Saturday 12 August.
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