Robbie Williams, 51, sparks backlash from Arsenal fans after mocking Gunners at Emirates Stadium
Pop star Robbie Williams sparked controversy during his weekend concerts at the Emirates Stadium by mocking Arsenal’s European trophy drought.
The singer, performing on Friday and Saturday as part of his international tour, made a pointed joke about the Gunners’ distance from European silverware.
Williams asked the packed crowd: “How far are Arsenal from a European trophy?” before delivering the punchline: “Four f***ing miles” – a reference to the distance between the Emirates and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The cheeky dig drew loud cheers from the audience and highlighted Arsenal’s 31-year wait for European glory since their 1994 Cup Winners’ Cup triumph.
The former Take That member’s bold joke came during his performances at the North London venue, where thousands of fans had gathered for the concerts.
His quip about Tottenham’s Europa League success this season struck a nerve with the home crowd.
The tongue-in-cheek comment went viral on social media within hours.
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“I always liked Robbie,” one Tottenham supporter wrote online.
Another fan expressed disbelief at the scene: “No way I’ve just seen Robbie Williams bantering Arsenal on their own turf.”
The reference to “four miles” specifically highlighted the geographical distance between Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium and their rivals’ ground in north London.
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Arsenal supporters quickly countered Williams’ jibe by pointing to their women’s team’s recent European success. “Literally won the UWCL two weeks ago, my friend…” one fan responded on social media.
Another Arsenal supporter defended the club’s honour: “I think, Robbie, you’ll find you’re actually stood in the home of a team that has two Champions League trophies.”
The women’s team had indeed claimed Champions League glory just weeks before Williams’ concert, providing ammunition for Gunners fans to fire back at the singer’s joke.
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Despite the mixed reactions, the incident demonstrated the enduring rivalry between North London’s two Premier League clubs, with Williams inadvertently stepping into the crossfire during his weekend performances.
Williams’ connection to Tottenham supporters runs deeper than his weekend joke might suggest. Spurs fans adopted his hit song “Angels” as a chant for former manager Ange Postecoglou, prompting Williams to post a video in 2023 singing along with the Tottenham lyrics.
“Guess I’m a Spurs fan now,” he declared at the time.
However, the singer’s true football loyalties lie elsewhere. Williams is a devoted Port Vale supporter who regularly attends matches at Vale Park.
The club appointed him as their president in February last year, and he even has a bar named in his honour at the League Two side’s stadium.