JAMIE CARRAGHER pointed out Arsenal fans’ “hypocrisy” following Tottenham’s 2-0 defeat to Manchester City last night.
Gunners supporters went into the match desperate for Spurs to hand them the initiative in the title race by taking points off City.
Ahead of the game, Carragher, 46, claimed that Tottenham fans should not want to win against Pep Guardiola‘s side.
Many Spurs regulars decided not to go to the match, with tickets easily available to members on the club’s exchange in the 48 hours prior.
Carra said on Sky Sports: “I don’t think Spurs fans should want to win tonight. I’ve grown up in a city with a similar rivalry. If the boot was on the other foot, I think Arsenal fans would be exactly the same.
“So I’ve got absolutely no problem with any Tottenham supporter not wanting to win this game.”
City went on to triumph 2-0 courtesy of an Erling Haaland double in front of a subdued crowd at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
After the game, Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou, who had earlier engaged in heated verbals with a member of the crowd, was furious at how the night had gone.
The Aussie, 58, fumed: “No, I think the last 48 hours has revealed to me that the foundations are fairly fragile mate.”
Having seen Postecoglou’s comments, Carragher wrote on social media: “This is to do with the reaction of supporters tonight in the stadium and being asked about the team’s commitment beforehand.
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“Ange and the players did their job and should’ve got a draw. But what did he expect from the fans?
“Arsenal fans would’ve been the exact same in that scenario!”
A bitter Gooner responded to Carragher: “Never going to happen, mostly as Spurs are never in a title race.”
But the former Liverpool and England star hit back: “I’ve seen a clip of Arsenal fans in 2019 saying they didn’t care about winning the Europa League final as long as Spurs lost the CL final.”
Videos of various Arsenal fans appearing on AFTV ahead of the 2019 Europa League final then circulated, corroborating Carra’s claim.
One said: “We’re all donning our hypothetical Liverpool shirts and will be right behind Salah and Mane and the like.”
The same fan was then pushed to choose the scenario he’d prefer: Arsenal and Tottenham both to win their respective finals or the two clubs to each lose.
He replied: “I can answer easily. My answer is not the right answer. Lose, lose. I’m not having Tottenham win it, simple as that.”
A visibly frustrated Postecoglou felt the strange atmosphere on the night negatively affected his side.
Asked if it had played a part, he said: “Of course it does.
“I can’t dictate what people do. They’re allowed to express themselves any way they want but, yeah, when we’ve got late winners in games, it’s because the crowd’s helped us.”
The Spurs boss also said: “You can make your own assessments of what’s happened. I understand.
“I probably misread the situation as to what I think is important in your endeavour to become a winning team, but that’s okay. That’s why I’m here.
“Maybe I’m out of step, but I just don’t care, I just want to win. I want to be successful at this football club, it’s why I was brought in.
“So what other people, how they want to feel, and what their priorities are, are of zero interest to me.
“I know what’s important to build a winning team, that’s what I need to concentrate on.”
Man City will now head into the final day leading Arsenal by two points at the top of the Premier League.
Guardiola’s men host West Ham, while the Gunners will welcome Everton.
Tottenham, meanwhile, will travel to already relegated Sheffield United sat in fifth.
