Archie Gray's actions following Tottenham's equalising goal against Arsenal were highlighted in footage from fuming away supporters. The 19-year-old was at the back post as Randal Kolo Muani slotted home the equaliser in the 34th minute, celebrating in front of the Arsenal fans.
This equaliser occurred a mere 120 seconds after Eberechi Eze had broken the deadlock in Sunday's north London derby. In a video shared on social media by TikToker afcdylan, the midfielder can be seen kicking the ball towards the away fans, seemingly hitting one as he returned to the centre circle. Fans hurled insults at the teenager, expressing their fury at both the goal and the Spurs player's response.
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However, Gray's elation was shortlived as Arsenal regained the lead shortly after the beginning of the second half. Viktor Gyokeres restored the Gunners' advantage in the 47th minute with a stunning strike from the edge of the box, sharing his trademark mask celebration with the irate home crowd.
Eze netted his second of the match on the hour mark following some superb play from Bukayo Saka, directing a rebound towards goal to extend the lead to 3-1. Gyokeres added the finishing touch for his own brace in injury time, brushing off Gray in the box.
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The Spurs midfielder's behaviour wasn't the sole controversial incident in the match. David Raya kept out a Dominic Solanke effort on the goalline at 3-1, but the most disputed moment of the game came immediately after Gyokeres' goal to put Arsenal in front.
It appeared Muani had levelled the scores again to make it 2-2, but referee Peter Bankes awarded a foul on Gabriel. VAR opted not to overturn this decision, leaving numerous Tottenham supporters incensed.
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One said: "How's that a foul on Gabriel? If at all, he should be carded for diving. Proper clown!" Another added: "In what world is this a foul?" A third said: "Such a soft foul. Just touched and Gabriel jumped like he was being tortured."
The north London derby win extended Arsenal's advantage at the Premier League summit back to five points after Manchester City had narrowed the gap to just two with a 2-1 victory over Newcastle, albeit having played a game more.
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Mikel Arteta was brimming with satisfaction at his players' performance. Speaking post-match, the Arsenal boss said: "It feels like we showed what we are made of.
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"But then you have to show it again and again and again because if you have to just analyse how you feel after every game, it's a massive rollercoaster and it's not sustainable.
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"I cannot be prouder and happier for what I've seen out there, but especially the way we lived the last 72 hours because I think this game in particular needed some context.
"After what happened against Wolves and the manner that we lost two points in the last kick of the game, it was tough. But that's the beauty of this game. There is no explanation watching the game back how the hell we draw that game. From any angle, you watch it back and say, 'It's impossible,' and you have to watch it again and say it's not going to happen.
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"But it happened, and then you have to lift yourself up because you're feeling angry, upset, [and] ashamed at some point. And we are all different nationalities, we all have different feelings, and then you have to bring everybody together.
"And it's been a joy to spend that time together with them, to align everybody and to say, 'OK, what is going to be happening in the next chapter?'"