Martin Odegaard was targeted on AFTV after the 0-0 draw against Everton
Gary Lineker has slammed AFTV, formerly known as Arsenal Fan TV, after a vile comment about Martin Odegaard went viral on social media.
Following the 0-0 draw with Everton at the Emirates – with Arsenal failing to capitalise on Liverpool dropping points – Gunners fan Lee Judges told the YouTube channel he ‘would’ve shot’ Odegaard if he ‘had a gun’.
Arsenal captain Odegaard has been in poor form for Mikel Arteta’s team recently and was hauled off after just 64 minutes against the Toffees.
But a number of Arsenal supporters defended the Norwegian midfielder after Judges’ distasteful remark about the 26-year-old.
‘Can people email the club and make a formal complaint against AFTV and Lee Judges,’ Gunners fan @Arsenal23Wenger wrote on X. ‘Threats to shoot players should be taken seriously.’
Lineker has now shared his own thoughts on AFTV – and while he did not specifically reference Judges or the clip of him saying he wanted to shoot Odegaard – he was clear that the YouTube channel isn’t ‘helping’ players as they continue to fight for this season’s Premier League trophy.
‘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,’ Lineker said on the latest episode of The Rest is Football podcast.
Gary Lineker isn’t a fan of AFTV
‘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.’
AFTV was created in 2012 – founded by Arsenal fan Robbie Lyle – and includes fan interviews, previews and reviews of matches and players.
Lee Judges’ comment went viral on social media
Around 1.7 million people are current subscribed to the AFTV YouTube channel.
Meanwhile, Arsenal manager Arteta has explained his decision to take off Odegaard and Declan Rice during the draw against Sean Dyche’s side.
Arteta 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.’