Gary Neville branded an Arsenal fan who ran onto the Emirates Stadium pitch to taunt Chris Smalling an “absolute numpty” after two similar incidents shamed English football in the same day.
An Arsenal supporter was seen running towards the Manchester United defender after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored from the penalty spot, putting the home side 2-0 ahead.
The man, who was wearing a hooded jacket, appeared to push Smalling in an effort to taunt him, before continuing his run towards the Arsenal players who were celebrating in front of the North Bank.
A statement from the Metropolitan Police confirmed the man was arrested. It read: "A man has been arrested on suspicion of common assault and pitch invasion following an incident during the Arsenal v Man Utd game at the Emirates Stadium today. He is currently in custody at a north London police station."
“We saw the fan coming on and going to Chris Smalling, you absolute numpty,” Neville said on Sky Sports.
Arsenal went on to win the match 2-0 in a result that lifts them up to fourth in the Premier League table, ahead of United, but the incident threatens to tarnish the victory and Arsenal could face a Football Association investigation as a result.
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Commentator Martin Tyler also criticised the pitch invaders and referenced the incident earlier in the day during the Second City derby that saw Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish attacked by a Birmingham City supporter.
The man was seen live on television running onto the St Andrews pitch and punching Grealish from behind, before being dragged away by security. The incident came in the ninth minute of the local derby, and leaves Birmingham facing a Football Association investigation for failing to control their fans.
West Midlands Police have confirmed that a man was arrested following the incident and has been taken into custody.
A post on the West Midlands Twitter account read: “ARREST: Following the incident on the pitch involving an attack on an Aston Villa player; a man has been arrested and en route to a custody block. Further details to follow.”
Grealish did well to keep his composure and not react to the assault. His teammates Glenn Whelan and Tammy Abraham initially confronted the attacker before thinking better of retaliating, with security eventually apprehending and removing him from the pitch.
Fate would provide a fresh twist in the 67th minute when, of all people, Grealish rifled in a low left-foot shot from the edge of the penalty area to beat goalkeeper Lee Camp and put Villa ahead.
Dean Smith’s side held on for the victory, giving Grealish what he described afterwards as “the best day of my life”.
The 23-year-old celebrated by leaping into the away end to join the Villa supporters, where he lost a boot and received a yellow card for his efforts. He was also involved in a second altercation as a steward appeared to kick out at Grealish, before being led away by police.
As the fan who had attacked Grealish left the field, he appeared to gesture in celebration to the Birmingham City fans, blowing kisses to supporters before being passed on to police.
