Luton staff taken aback by Arsenal's dressing room antics at Kenilworth Road

11 December 2023 , 14:46

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Luton staff taken aback by Arsenal's dressing room antics at Kenilworth Road

Arsenal players have been accused of celebrating like "they'd won the league" just four days before their title ambitions were dented by Aston Villa on Saturday.

Prior to the 1-0 defeat at Villa Park, the Gunners looked certain to drop points in their midweek clash at Luton, once Ross Barkley had put the hosts 3-2 ahead shortly before the hour mark. However, Kai Havertz then duly equalised before a header from Declan Rice deep into injury time sparked wild celebrations from the visitors.

Mikel Arteta's side became renowned for their team celebrations as they challenged for the Premier League title in 2022/23, eventually finishing second behind Manchester City. And that group spirit has remained this time around, with the away dressing room at Kenilworth Road seemingly raucous.

According to the , the England midfielder was loudly serenaded by his teammates and coaching staff. Fans have long amended the words of popular Vanilla Ice hit Ice Ice Baby when seeking to laud the England international.

But that wasn't the only partying that went on. Staff members at Luton were then said to be shocked at the sheer levels of noise produced by the visitors, with one club source quoted as saying: "You’d have thought they’d won the league not nicked a win at little Luton."

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Even before the final whistle, the reaction to the winner had provided a talking point. Arteta was cautioned for leaving his technical area as Rice was mobbed by teammates, which meant he was suspended from the dugout at Villa Park.

Mikel Arteta was given a one-game touchline ban for his celebrations at Luton (Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

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And come Saturday evening, Arsenal stars may have have been regretting the elaborate celebrations of the previous match. John McGinn's early goal meant they finished the weekend down in second following Liverpool's win at Crystal Palace.

The post-match mood was anything but jubilant for the manager who was left seething by Havertz having a goal ruled out in injury time. It wasn't the first time the Spaniard has lamented VAR this season, having also been angered by the manner of Newcastle's winner against his side last month.

Arsenal now face a critical pre-Christmas period if they are to maintain their title ambitions. A dead-rubber Champions League tie with PSV on Tuesday will be followed by a home game with Brighton on Saturday, before a pivotal game at Liverpool on December 23.

Fraser Watson