David Seaman has laughed off Jamie Carragher’s criticism of Arsenal’s celebrations after they beat Liverpool 3-1, arguing that Mikel Arteta’s men had every right to enjoy such a ‘massive’ victory.
The Gunners slashed Liverpool’s lead at the top of the Premier League table to just two points thanks to goals from Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard in Sunday’s heavyweight encounter in north London.
After a rocky winter period, it was Arsenal’s third win on the bounce and the result sparked joyous scenes among the Emirates faithful, with leaders Liverpool consigned to only their second defeat in the Premier League this season.
Arsenal’s beaming captain Martin Odegaard was pictured enjoying the moment with the club’s official photographer, Stuart MacFarlane, on the pitch shortly after the final whistle – and the Norwegian’s celebrations drew the ire of Sky Sports pundit Carragher.
Carragher insisted Odegaard and Arsenal’s players should ‘just get down the tunnel’ and the ex-Liverpool defender’s comments were met with a ferocious backlash – as the likes of Ian Wright and Ray Parlour bit back.
Reflecting on Arsenal’s win on the Seaman Says podcast, club legend Seaman said: ‘Liverpool weren’t at it but don’t take anything away from Arsenal because the way they started the game was brilliant.
‘I loved the passion. There has been a lot said about Mikel Arteta and the way that we were celebrating. I loved that.
‘It’s a little bit on the edge, if I’m being honest. You know what I’m like: calm down, accept it! [laughs] – but it’s because of what was on the game.
‘Arsenal lose that game and we are out of the title race. We are eight points behind Liverpool and Manchester City have still got two games in hand, so that would have been devastating.
‘I think that celebration came from the pressure of knowing what could happen if we got beat. The relief, that’s what it is.’
The former Arsenal and England goalkeeper added:
‘I did have a little chuckle last night when I was listening to Jamie Carragher having a go at Odegaard and the photographer. I’m like: “Oh, just lost have ya Jamie?! [laughs]
‘I was like, “Oh my god, so you’ve never celebrated?!’, and Stuart [MacFarlane], the photographer, has been there since I was there. He’s been there since day one and everyone loves Stuart. He’s so passionate about Arsenal.
‘He knows everything about Arsenal, loves everything about Arsenal and I like that. I like that little interaction because Stuart wanted his bit with all the fans behind and all the fans stayed behind.
It was a good day for Arsenal, a really good day. I can’t have a go at Mikel Arteta or the lads for celebrating how they did because it was a massive result for Arsenal.’
According to Seaman, the atmosphere generated by a rocking Emirates crowd helped push Arsenal over the line against Liverpool – whose only previous defeat in the league came back in September.
‘A big shout out to the fans because they were proper on it! I could hear it so easily just through the TV and it was brilliant,’ he went on.
‘It was great to hear the Arsenal fans and I love the north London song [The Angel (North London Forever)]. That was just epic.
‘Every time I hear it I get goosebumps and I don’t even know all the words yet!’
