Spectator kicked the Arsenal goalkeeper after Ødegaard magic against Tottenham

(Tottenham-Arsenal 0–2) Martin Ødegaard (24) increased Arsenal’s Premier League lead over second-placed Manchester City to eight points by scoring in the London derby against Tottenham. Then a spectator made his way to the pitch and kicked Aaron Ramsdale (24).

The startling incident took place shortly after the end of the match. Ramsdale was in discussion with Tottenham player Richarlison. Shortly afterwards, the TV cameras filmed a dark-clad spectator kicking the English national team goalkeeper in the side.

Up front, it appeared that Ramsdale was celebrating the 2–0 victory in front of the Tottenham supporters. Guards ran to the area next to the goal which Arsenal’s number 1 kept closed during the match.

– It’s a shame when it’s just a football match after all. Both teams’ players tried to get me away. Fortunately, nothing too drastic happened. It gives me a bitter taste, but I am sure we will enjoy the victory when we are back in the dressing room, says Ramsdale to Sky Sports.

The goalkeeper says that he received abuse from the Tottenham fans throughout the match and that he slapped his lip back, but that he believes that one supporter crossed the line. Emotions in the local match were strong, and the home crowd did not like Arsenal winning the derby for the first time since 2014.

After a clumsy own goal by Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris (36) before the quarter had been played under the floodlights at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Martin Ødegaard took command in front of almost 63,000 engaged spectators.

With a single touch, the Norwegian captain set the ball up for a shot in the space between the home team’s defense and midfield. On the next touch, the Arsenal captain knocked the red shirts into a 2–0 lead with a neat ground-crawler in the short corner.

– Yes, Ødegaard! Love you, says former Arsenal player Ray Parlor on Twitter.

– In the first half, we are extremely good. We really control everything. We have players who know each other well, who play well and want the ball. In the second half it gets a little more chaotic, but overall it’s solid, says Ødegaard to Viaplay.

Now the Drammenser is not only the captain of one of the world’s biggest clubs. He is also the team’s superior top scorer with eight goals in 17 league appearances.

– It was a lovely goal, says Ødegaard and is asked why he has become so dangerous.

– I think it is complex. I think it’s about my role in the team, but also my focus. I have worked on it a lot and talked a lot with the coaches about getting into the box. It has a lot to do with the mindset. It’s nice to get paid for it.

Ødegaard’s position in Arsenal and the Premier League strengthens with each match. Earlier in the week, the 24-year-old was named player of the month for November and December.

Against Tottenham, Ødegaard again led his team in impressive fashion.

– Martin Ødegaard is magical, writes the well-known football magazine Goal to its over 7.6 million followers on Twitter.

– He controls everything that is, says Viaplay expert Eirik Bakke.

Antonio Conte’s Tottenham were never able to tame the ball distributor from Drammen. As he did on the “Kjappen” artificial grass pitch in his childhood, Ødegaard dribbled between the opposing players and was the pitch’s dominant player.

– We are frustrated by the result. We wanted to open the game strong. Instead we concede a goal, then another. The second goal could kill the game. So I’m happy with the reaction we had, because we didn’t lose our heads. We finished the match in a better way, says Conte to Viaplay.

Erling Braut Haaland sits in Manchester. Jærbuen is the top scorer with 21 goals and has a dream of winning the Premier League, but it looks more and more difficult for the City striker and his teammates.

– It has probably been a wish from Norway for a long time to get some established players out there. It’s nice that we can please people back home who are happy to watch English football, says Ødegaard.