May 03, (THEWILL) – A football fan has been apprehended for shining a laser in the eyes of Chelsea’s Mykhailo Mudryk, during Tuesday’s London derby against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
Mudryk came on as a substitute during Chelsea’s 3-1 defeat to Arsenal, playing for the last 19 minutes as the Blues endured their sixth successive loss in all competitions. The player was constantly targeted by a green laser pen, as seen on television footage, with Mudryk later taking to social media to confirm he was “okay.”
Arsenal has released a statement denouncing the incident, confirming that a supporter had been arrested after the game. The club described the behaviour as “dangerous and totally unacceptable,” adding that they will provide full support to the authorities in their investigations and take appropriate action.
Mudryk, a Ukrainian international, had been a potential signing target for Arsenal in January, but eventually joined Chelsea after the West London club outbid their rivals at the end of the transfer window. On Tuesday night, Mudryk was booed each time he came into contact with the ball.
Former Arsenal player and pundit, Ian Wright, condemned the use of lasers, saying: “This is not acceptable behaviour in any way. It’s just not on, regardless of what team you support. If we can find the person who did this, they need to be held accountable for their actions.”
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
