Brighton fans aren't happy with two of their returning players after they played key roles in downing the Seagulls on Saturday evening. Ben White and Leandro Trossard both returned to the Amex Stadium with Arsenal on Saturday with the Gunners running out as 3-0 winners in a big result for the London club as the title race heats up.
However, Brighton fans are more upset with the actions of two of their former heroes than the result itself. White started the match from right-back and had a great game at both ends of the pitch, but it was incident in particular that has infuriated Brighton supporters.
Shortly after half time, the Arsenal right-back was involved in an ‘altercation' with Brighton's Julio Enciso. The incident left White on the floor gesturing that he had been thrown to the ground by his neck by the Paraguayan. However, replays showed that the two had barely even bumped into each other, which sparked fury among Brighton fans who claimed White was a cheat.
One fan posted on X: “Ben White falls to the ground feigning some kind of assault. We all see it. Why can't VAR do something useful and send players off for that kind of pathetic cheating?” Another added: “Embarrassing from Ben White. I haven't seen acting that bad since Steven Seagal's latest straight-to-video.”
Brighton fans turn on Leandro Trossard
Brighton have sold several players to other Premier League clubs in recent times, including Moises Caicedo, Alexis Mac Allister and Yves Bissouma. However, none have received as bad a reception at the Amex Stadium as Leandro Trossard yesterday.
The Belgian winger was a late substitute and he was booed onto the field by the home supporters, who were perhaps rankled more by the scoreline at the time rather than Trossard himself. However, it was the Arsenal man who had the last off after he rounded off the victory in stoppage time with a lovely dink over Verbruggen to make it 3-0.
While it's customary for returning players to ‘refuse' to celebrate in the modern game, Trossard did quite the opposite. He made his away over to the away end, celebrated as normal and then tapped the Arsenal badge in a move that has infuriated the Seagulls' faithful even more.
To add insult to injury… Leandro Trossard scores against his old club to seal the deal for the Gunners 🥽 pic.twitter.com/xmKW5RBkFM
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 6, 2024
One Brighton fan posted on X: “Leandro Trossard and Ben White by the way, dead to us. Why can’t players leave and be respectful… like Alexis Mac Allister?” Another said: “Trossard got booed because the awful way he left by leaving the country and refusing to train, we had every right to boo him.”
Other fans completely understood Trossard's celebration. One said: “Brighton fans booed Trossard and expected him not to celebrate lmao he ain’t Rice.”
A second Arsenal fan said: “Trossard going back to his old stomping ground, getting booed, running the full length of the pitch, chipping the keeper, doing a full celebration and then patting the Arsenal badge. Hook it directly into my veins. Hook it into my veins and keep it there forever.”