02 March 2024 , 12:57
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Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer poked fun at his Conservative counterpart Rishi Sunak when asked if he'd like to see the Prime Minister take over his beloved Arsenal.
Starmer appeared on the Sky Max show Fantasy Football, hosted by fellow Arsenal fan Matt Lucas, Elis James and Andrew Mensah. Alongside the leader of the opposition was Chelsea boss Emma Hayes, with the duo previewing the Premier League action this weekend as well as comparing their fantasy teams.
Starmer's love of Arsenal was a topic that served up plenty of discussion, with the 61-year-old proudly declaring that he does not watch games from the 'posh seats' and has instead occupied the same seat he's had since the Emirates Stadium opened 18 years ago.
Sunak also follows football and is believed to be a Southampton fan, but Starmer was quick to jibe: "I think he went once last season, which was the game they got relegated in."
The Prime Minster and his wife Akshata Murty boast a combined net worth of £730million, a fact that inspired Mensah to ask Starmer whether he'd welcome Sunak purchasing the Gunners one day. He replied: "No! I want my club to win."
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Soon after, Starmer was pressed for comment on which he'd prefer out of a Labour general election triumph or Arsenal winning the Premier League. He provided a diplomatic answer, adding: "I’d like the Double," sparking cheers and applause from those in attendance.
Just last month, Starmer compared himself to Gunners boss Mikel Arteta when asked which Premier League manager he is the most like.
Sir Keir Starmer is often seen in attendance at Arsenal fixturesHe told Times Radio, he said: "That’s actually an easy one for me at the moment because I feel an affinity with Arteta, the Arsenal manager, because again, if you look at his journey, he was appointed, it was hard to turn that Arsenal team around.
“To start with, people said he can’t do it, there was talk about whether he should continue, and look what he’s done now.”
Months prior, Starmer heaped praise on Arteta for building the "best squad" the Labour leader had seen at the Emirates in a "very long time. " Arsenal currently sit third in the Premier League table, two points adrift of leauge-leaders Liverpool.
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