Simon Jordan Calls Arsenal Fans ‘Idiots’ After London Stadium Trouble

talkSPORT host Simon Jordan has weighed into the debate over Arsenal fans celebrating in the West Ham end at the London Stadium last weekend, calling them “utterly stupid”.

As most will know by now, a large number of Gunners supporters infiltrated the home sections and when Leandro Trossard scored the game’s decisive goal, Arsenal fans were seen jumping around celebrating whilst wearing club colours.

And it wasn’t just isolated incidents either.

There appeared to be pockets of Arsenal supporters spread throughout the stadium, which ultimately resulted in altercations with West Ham fans. In one particularly ugly moment, an Arsenal fan and West Ham supporter ended up falling down the stairs during the chaos.

There were also multiple instances of Gunners fans being ejected from the stadium afterwards.

This Isn’t A New Problem At West Ham

Let’s be honest, this is hardly anything new at the London Stadium.

We covered previously on Claret & Hugh how Manchester United fans infiltrated home areas earlier this season, with one particular Red Devils supporter parading around the concourse holding a derogatory anti-West Ham sign.

So whilst it was frustrating to see Arsenal fans openly celebrating in home sections, it certainly wasn’t surprising.

What was more surprising was hearing Jim White seemingly defend supporters sitting amongst opposition fans and celebrating goals, despite Premier League guidance clearly discouraging exactly that for safety reasons.

Simon Jordan Was Absolutely Correct

Jordan, who certainly hasn’t always found himself aligned with West Ham supporters over the years, actually put his co-host right on this occasion.

“There is a stupidity. I know you want to go and watch your team, but there is an inherent stupidity about wanting to sit in amongst the home fans in a game of this kind of critical moment, especially in the relegation battle for a team staying in the division with all the angst that West Ham are going through and then celebrate a goal.”

And honestly, he was absolutely correct.

Given the pressure surrounding the game, with West Ham fighting relegation and Arsenal chasing the title, the atmosphere was always going to be tense.

At best, Arsenal supporters were naïve for thinking they could operate so brazenly in home sections without attracting attention.

London Stadium Security Still Not Doing Enough

That said, this has been an ongoing issue for far too long now.

Both West Ham and the London Stadium operators simply haven’t done enough to properly discourage away supporters entering home areas.

It’s become increasingly common over the last few years and whilst most fans behave themselves perfectly well, all it takes is one flashpoint for things to turn nasty very quickly.

And when supporters are openly wearing away colours and celebrating goals in home sections during emotionally charged matches, it’s hardly difficult to see how situations escalate.