Arsenal hero tells negative fans to support Brighton – you are not welcome at the club

Arsenal hero Perry Groves has called for Gunners fans who are bored of the club’s football to stay away and go and support Brighton.

The message came on the latest episode of Inside Gooners, and it followed Mikel Arteta‘s side’s 1-0 win over Sporting in the Champions League quarter-final first leg.

The Gunners weren’t at their fluent best and needed David Raya to make some big saves, but Kai Havertz‘s late winner ensured they head to the Emirates next week with the advantage.

Sporting had also won 17 home games in a row, including all of their Champions League fixtures, beating Paris Saint-Germain.

They had also scored in 30 straight home games as well, but Arsenal managed to end that, and Groves was very clear in his message for fans who are calling the Gunners boring.

“If there are any Gooners out there that found last night [Sporting] boring and don’t like the way Mikel Arteta plays, and they want to be more entertained either go to the cinema, go to the theatre, go and watch Netflix or Micky Flanagan,” Groves said.

“Or go and support Brighton because Brighton are very entertaining. You might have a period of the season where you win one in 13, but they are playing entertaining football.

“We don’t want you anywhere near Arsenal because if you are a proper Gooner, you would have loved last night.

“1-0 to the Arsenal has a special ring about it.”

And on the performance and result against Sporting, broadcaster and Goonerverse creator James Bayliss said: “I echo the sentiment that we should be really happy with the result and the performance.

“I was really, really disappointed after Southampton, and I just felt the players were making sloppy errors.

“Against Sporting, there was a commitment to it, and an intensity.

Getty

“But it was a Champions League quarter-final, and with all respect to Southampton, they are a Championship side, and it’s different.

“Arsenal had lost two games, so there was a lot of pressure.

“We weren’t super entertaining, but we were really professional, and we managed the occasion well after weathering an early storm.

“We were trying to be fluid, but Sporting are a good side, and we came out with a 1-0 win, I am delighted with the result, and the performance was exactly what you have to do in Europe.”

1-0 to the Arsenal

Arsenal have been criticised for their style of play this year, but with a top goalkeeper and defence, the Premier League and Champions League are within reach.

And it’s clear that Groves isn’t having these fans who are complaining about the style as long as they get over the line.

AFP

The Gunners needed a response after seeing their hopes of a quadruple go up in smoke after back-to-back defeats to Southampton and Manchester City in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup respectively.

Of course, Arsenal had Raya to thank for a couple of huge saves ensuring that it was that famous scoreline of 1-0 to the Arsenal.

And after the game, Havertz praised his teammate.

He said: “I think still underestimated in the world of football but for me, the last two seasons, the best keeper in the world.

“He’s outstanding, he’s saved us so many times and we’re very glad to have him.”

Raya himself was delighted with his performance.

Getty

Speaking after the game, he said: “It’s something that I’m there for. I’m trying to help the team as much as possible in any single action, not just defending but commanding and on the ball.

“So delighted with myself performance and, of course, the win.”

Arsenal built a reputation on winning 1-0 with a solid defence and great goalkeeper, and in 2025/26, they are hoping a similar thing will get them to two titles.

And if they do it that way, Groves and Arsenal fans won’t care.

Inside Gooners on talkSPORT

Nowhere does Arsenal like talkSPORT does.

Stay ahead of every tactical shift, manager sacking and transfer rumour by making talkSPORT’s Inside Gooners show your weekly go to for all things Arsenal related.

Subscribe now to ensure you never miss a beat of the action one episode at a time, sponsored by BetMGM.

Download the app or visit BetMGM.co.uk. 18+gambleaware.org