In a statement as surprising as it is amusing, Mikel Arteta, the Arsenal coach, sparked a wave of reactions after pointing the finger at the Paris Saint-Germain supporters as the cause of the recent defeat of his team in the Champions League. At a press conference that quickly toured social networks, Arteta not only blamed the atmosphere created by Parisian fans, but also demanded, with an exaggeration, that the latter be prohibited from stadium during the return match in London. An outing that oscillates between the funny anecdote and the unexpected controversy.
The first leg, played at the Parc des Princes, ended in a convincing victory of PSG, carried by an audience in fusion which transformed the stadium into a real cauldron. According to Arteta, the intensity of the songs, the whistles and the energy released by the Parisian supporters would have destabilized his players, preventing them from concentrating. “Their noise was deafening, it was like playing 12 players! “, He launched, causing laughter and raises of eyebrows in the assembly. But it was his request to ban PSG fans for the return match that truly ignited the discussions. “We cannot allow this to the Emirates,” he added, half-serious, half-ironic.
On X, the reactions were quick. Arsenal supporters had fun with this outing, some welcoming Arteta’s audacity, while others have seen an attempt to divert attention from the team’s tactical gaps. PSG fans made the statement as a compliment disguised to their legendary fervor, with comments like: “Arteta is afraid of our 12th man!” For their part, neutral observers noted that this anecdote reflects the growing pressure on Arteta, whose team crosses a delicate period in Europe.
UEFA, of course, will probably not follow up on this eccentric request, but the episode has already marked the spirits as one of the most entertaining moments in the European campaign. While the return match approaches, will a question remain: will Arteta use this controversy to galvanize its players, or will Parisian supporters travel to London with the intention of making even more noise? Anyway, this statement added a touch of humor and spice to an emerging rivalry.
