Soccer

Arsenal fans turn on each other in ugly MetLife Stadium fight

Arsenal fans didn’t get the message about this match being a friendly.

The rivalry between Manchester United and Arsenal has always been competitive and intense, but the fans brought it to an unfortunate level when a violent brawl erupted Saturday during a preseason matchup at MetLife Stadium.

While the origin of the fight is unknown, what is known is that it was ugly.

A group of Arsenal fans seemingly started shoving one another near the staircase, followed by punches being thrown, people being grabbed and choked and one participant even looked to pull a Mike Tyson and bite an ear.

Two particular fans, one in a red arsenal jersey and the other in a blue arsenal jersey, went after one another.

The two were on the other side of the staircase from the larger brawl, throwing some major punches while tussling.

Arsenal fans fight each other at MetLife Stadium on July 22, 2023.
Arsenal fans fight each other at MetLife Stadium on July 22, 2023. YouTube

The fan in the red jersey grabbed the other fan’s leg to try to take out his balance, but the fan in the blue jersey swiftly punched him in the eye.

The two then wrestled on the staircase but, when some of the other brawlers who seemingly got their fighting fix in tried to break up this scuffle, another Arsenal fan came from the stands and swung on them.

Cans of beer were also thrown into the brawl and, by the end of it all, fans were bruised and some were even bloodied before MetLife security reached the participants to separate them and escort them out.

Arsenal lost the match, 2-0, but some fans took a way worse beating than their team did.

Manchester United and Arsenal during a friendly match at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford in the State of New Jersey in the United States this Saturday, 23. Brazil Photo Press / SplashNews.com

Tensions were similarly high on the field when a late challenge by Lisandro Martinez on Bukayo Saka caused a scuffle until players were separated.

Manchester United led 2-0 at time, but Martinez, known for his aggressive nature, decided to take matters into his own hands to set the tone for future matchups.

Martinez received a yellow card for the unnecessary contact.