Gary Lineker has slammed AFTV after a guest said they would ‘shoot’ Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard. The controversial fan channel received criticism following Lee Judges’ disgusting comments.
Judges was unhappy with Odegaard’s performance in Arsenal’s goalless draw with Everton. The Norwegian midfielder missed a couple of chances to score the only goal of the game. The Gunners fan told AFTV he “would’ve shot” the 26-year-old if he “had a gun”.
AFTV is not affiliated with Arsenal but it has been a prominent platform for the club’s supporters since being founded by Robbie Lyle in 2012.
Lineker did not directly reference what Judges said but slammed the ‘vicious’ nature of the channel.
Speaking on the Rest Is Football podcast, the former striker said: “Do you ever see that Arsenal TV thing? Sometimes I get clips come up on Instagram or whatever, and goodness me, some of the fans were laying into their players.
“You think, ‘Crikey’ – like viciously, it was horrible. I don’t know how they think that’s going to help if you’re slaughtering your own players to that degree.
“Especially when they’re clearly giving everything week in, week out. It’s not easy playing against a team (Everton) that sits with ten men behind the ball for the entire game.”
Around 1.7 million people subscribe to AFTV, which was previously known as Arsenal Fan TV. The YouTube channel publishes videos ranging from previews and reviews of Arsenal’s matches. Crowds of people stand outside the Emirates Stadium after games to watch Lyle interview guests.
Odegaard was surprisingly substituted alongside Declan Rice in the 64th minute of Arsenal’s draw with Everton. Head coach Mikel Arteta confirmed that the decision to withdraw his captain was tactical. Rice was carrying an injury.
The Spaniard said: “Declan, I had to take him off because he was feeling something and with Martin it was a tactical decision to try to change the rhythm, especially on that side.
“I understand if Ethan (Nwaneri) comes in and scores a goal it’s a great sub, if he doesn’t you have taken your captain out. That’s football.”
Arsenal are six points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool, who over a game in hand over the North Londoners. Arteta’s side have a double header of matches against Crystal Palace this week, hosting the Eagles in the Carabao Cup tomorrow (Wednesday) before heading south of the Thames in the Premier League on Saturday.