On December 19, 2021, Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard was criticized by media personality Jamie Carragher for his post-match celebrations following a 3-1 victory over Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium. Odegaard, who remained on the pitch after the game, engaged in a photo session with club photographer Stuart MacFarlane, which drew disapproval from Carragher and former player Gary Neville.
The win narrowed the gap between Arsenal and the Premier League leaders to two points, but City had the chance to draw level with Arsenal. Odegaard defended the celebrations, stating that the team’s display demonstrated their quality and emphasized the importance of humility and continuous improvement.
He highlighted the need for the team to learn from past experiences and demonstrate their growth and resilience in the ongoing season. The victory over Liverpool was significant for Arsenal, and Odegaard’s comments reflected the team’s determination to compete at the highest level and continue their progress throughout the season.