Arsenal explain video of mascot getting ‘blanked’ by stars after club are hit by furious fan backlash

ARSENAL have defended their much-criticised video clip of a mascot being "blanked" by players.

Many fans, including SunSport columnist Piers Morgan and TalkSPORT presenter Laura Woods, slammed the disconnect between the Gunners' stars and the smiling young girl.

Players didn't appear to interact with the mascot but Arsenal later pointed out the autograph-signing was just part of her whole day's experience

Making memories with our mascot ❤️ pic.twitter.com/LjGWmzd2Vl

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) April 16, 2023

But Arsenal say it was "just one interaction" in a "whole day with the team".

That only left observers on social media even more puzzled as to why the Gunners would choose to share such a clip.

One posted: "We all agree the clip didn't show the club and players in the best light. Looked more like a tick box exercise as opposed to genuinely caring about a young fan."

Another wrote: "I'm sure she had a great day but you would think that somebody in the media team at Arsenal would have raised a hand and said it wasn't a great look before they posted it."

And TalkTV presenter Morgan said: "Come on guys, at least one of you say hello to her?!!"

Woods later tweeted: "I contacted Arsenal, they explained this was just one interaction on a whole day spent with the team.

"We often don't hear enough about the good footballers do. But eye contact or a smile also takes no time."

However, the little girl's dad backed the Gunners.

He posted: "My daughter had a lovely time as Mascot for @Arsenal.

"There was only a small window to meet the players and she enjoyed it very much.

"(Captain Martin) Odegaard is her favourite player so to hold his hand onto the pitch was very special."

Some fans felt the clip could be misleading, no matter how mechanical it looked.

But one said: "It does make you wonder why they didn't just choose a clip where the players did interact and talk with the young girl though."

And another wrote: "One interaction or not, that's a whole squad completely failed to acknowledge her.

"None had the decency to take their headphones out to have a quick word. It was like, 'give me the pen so I can get out of this situation as fast as possible'. How the club can't see that is baffling."