“Come to Arsenal” – Fans tell Lookman after ‘harsh’ manager’s comments

Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman has been jokingly told to come to Arsenal by fans after being publicly criticized by his manager.

Coach Gian Piero Gasperini made ‘harsh’ comments about he player for missing a penalty in the club’s UEFA Champions League play-off defeat to Club Brugge.

Lookman, who came on in the second half and scored to reduce the deficit, missed a penalty in the 62nd minute.

After the match, Gasperini lashed out, calling him “one of the worst penalty takers” he has ever seen and insisting that Lookman was not supposed to take the spot-kick.

“Lookman was not supposed to take that penalty. He is one of the worst penalty takers I’ve ever seen. He has a frankly terrible record even in training.

“Retegui and De Ketelaere were there, but Lookman, in a moment of enthusiasm, decided to take the ball, and that was a gesture I did not appreciate at all,” Gasperini said.

The comments did not sit well with Lookman, who expressed his disappointment, calling them “deeply disrespectful.”

“Being singled out in the manner I have been not only hurts but feels deeply disrespectful, not least because of the immense hard work and commitment I have always put in each and every day,” Lookman responded in a statement.

He also clarified that the designated penalty taker had instructed him to take the kick, and he only stepped up to support the team.

Following the controversy, Arsenal fans took to social media to call for Lookman to join the Gunners.

One fan wrote, “Bro, come to Arsenal. Our coach would rather blame the ball than drag his player before the world.”

Another added, “Come to Arsenal, king, and save me from Martinelli.”

A third said, “Come to Arsenal abeg. We respect our players. We don’t hang them out to dry in public.”

In a contrary opinion, one fan wrote, “Some Arsenal fans are weird. You’re asking Lookman to come to Arsenal while turning on Odegaard for a dip in form. Back your players and let Arteta worry about the team.”

Atalanta crashed out of the Champions League with a 5-2 aggregate loss to Club Brugge, ending their hopes of progressing further in the competition.