In the wake of Manchester United’s FA Cup triumph, Arsenal have found themselves the target of ridicule and criticism from football fans for an ill-timed and self-serving social media post. While the Red Devils were celebrating their 13th FA Cup title, secured through a 2-1 victory over their crosstown rivals, the Gunners opted to shift the spotlight back onto their own storied history in the competition.

Mere moments after the final whistle at Wembley, Arsenal’s official X account published a quiz, challenging supporters to name the players who started in each of the club’s seven FA Cup wins since the turn of the millennium. The post was accompanied by a caption proudly proclaiming Arsenal’s “legacy” in the FA Cup, with the reminder that they hold the record for the most titles won.

This attempt by the North London outfit to bask in their own past glories, rather than simply congratulating the deserving champions, has been widely panned by the football community. Fans have lambasted the move as “embarrassing”, “shameless” and an example of Arsenal’s perpetual self-obsession, with one supporter bluntly stating “ALWAYS about them.”

The backlash stems from the perception that Arsenal’s actions were not only ill-timed, but also lacked the appropriate sportsmanship, especially given that the Gunners had been eliminated from this year’s FA Cup competition much earlier than United. By shifting the focus away from the victors and onto their own achievements, Arsenal have been accused of being “shameless” in their pursuit of attention.