- Former Arsenal star Groves earned the ire of Spurs fan during Arsenal win
- The fan complained after filming him celebrating while commentating.
- Is the north London derby the best Premier League clash? Listen to the It’s all starting! podcast
Arsenal legend Perry Groves was criticized by a Tottenham fan after he was caught celebrating a Gunners goal during their 3-2 win against their bitter rivals.
Spurs suffered an agonizing defeat on Sunday afternoon as Mikel Arteta’s men continued their march towards a first title since 2004 thanks to an own goal from Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg before Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz scored the 3- 0 in the first half.
Cristian Romero and Son Heung-min reduced the deficit, but Ange Postecoglou’s team left it too late and were condemned to their ninth defeat of the Premier League season.
Arsenal players were reveled in celebrations after overcoming their arch-nemesis, and former Gunners star Groves also appeared to enjoy the victory after being seen celebrating one of the goals while working as a commentator on the home pitch.
Groves played 205 times for Arsenal between 1986 and 1993, enjoying two top-flight triumphs before the start of the Premier League era, with the former winger scoring a total of 29 goals.
Arsenal legend Perry Groves was accosted by a Tottenham fan after filming him celebrating a Gunners goal on the home pitch while commentating for the North London Derby.
The Gunners secured a vital 3-2 victory over their rivals to continue their title march.
Spurs fell short against Arsenal after losing 3-0 to the Gunners in the first half.
Groves, now 59, has recently been working for talkSport and was seen in the media section with a head seat while covering the match, with a fan filming him pumping his fist in the air after Arsenal scored.
The fan was furious on camera as he claimed Groves “triggered” after Arsenal scored and noticed another fan behind him taking issue with the former player and his co-host Alex Crook, adding: “That’s it “My friend, tell him!”
The follower then directed his ire at Groves and said: ‘You should be ashamed of yourself, you’re on the radio!’ You will cause a disturbance here.
He then tried to get the attention of a butler and told him: “You can’t do that, it’s dangerous.” Can I have security please? I want to report a hate crime.’
The fan then grabs the butler, before pointing at Groves and saying: ‘Excuse me, do you know that guy? ‘He shouldn’t be doing that.’
Groves, who won the old First Division twice with Arsenal, is a regular face on talkSport
Spurs face a battle for a top-four finish after the result, boosting Arsenal’s title hopes.
Groves then notices the fan and turns around, before the fan says, “You shouldn’t do that, Perry, it’s a freedom.” Come on Perry. You are live on the radio.
Perry dismisses him and turns to watch the rest of the game before footage captures a few more Spurs fans expressing their anger at the announcer.
The fan later gets his way when he convinces a butler to approach Groves to talk to him about his celebrations, and the man filming the video says “he has to go.”
The result leaves Arsenal at the top of the Premier League, one point above title rivals Manchester City, who have a game in hand than the Gunners, which will be against Spurs.
They travel to north London on May 14 in what should be a pivotal match to decide who claims the Premier League crown.
Meanwhile, Spurs are now seven points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa, with their four best hopes hanging by a thread.
They have two games in hand against Villa, but they are difficult games against City and Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
