The celebration of the historic triumph of London's Arsenal went beyond the script. In the midst of the solemn procession dedicated to the victory in the English Premier League, the team captain Martin Ødegaard staged an impromptu show that almost ended in a serious conflict with law enforcement officials.
A misplaced pass to a policeman
The event unfolded on the roof of a double-decker bus, where the players were enjoying the moment of victory. Ødegaard, holding a glass of beer in one hand, decided to entertain the jubilant crowd and throw the ball down headfirst. However, probably due to instability or carelessness, the footballer did not calculate the trajectory of the projectile.
The ball was not flying towards the fans, but straight into the head of a policeman who was walking by the wheels of the bus, ensuring the safety of the convoy. A precise hit landed right in the hat of the law enforcement officer. The captain's reaction was instantaneous: he immediately hid on the roof of the bus, trying to avoid an immediate reaction.
"Arrest him!"
The atmosphere at the festive procession changed instantly. Instead of solemn silence or applause, other Arsenal players, in particular Bukayo Saka, began shouting: "Arrest him!". This statement sounded more like a joke and an attempt to relieve tension than a real demand to law enforcement agencies, but the incident became one of the most discussed moments of the parade.
Record-breaking celebration
This curious episode took place against the backdrop of a grand event. Arsenal's championship parade in London became historic not only because of the victory itself, which was the first for the club in 22 years, but also in scale. According to the Metropolitan Police Service, more than 1.5 million people took part in the celebrations. This is an absolute record among all parades ever held in the country, which only emphasizes the significance of the moment and, perhaps, explains the nervous tension on the roof of the bus.