- Arsenal secured an important 1-0 win over Newcastle on Sunday afternoon
- One former Gunner went under the radar with his unrecognisable new look
- LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off! Was Cole Palmer right to leave Man City?
A former Arsenal star went undetected by Sky Sports commentators – due to his unrecognisable new look – as he watched the side beat Newcastle 1-0 on Sunday.
The Gunners secured Champions League football for a third consecutive season after a narrow victory over the Magpies courtesy of Declan Rice’s 20-yard strike.
A number of ex-Arsenal stars were spotted in the Emirates crowd on the day – with former Brazilian midfielder Gilberto Silva seen watching on from the stands.
The 48-year-old wore an Arsenal scarf as he took in the afternoon’s action and was shouted out by Sky Sports commentator Peter Drury on the day.
Drury made note that the Brazilian arrived in north London after a ‘stellar World Cup’ 23 years ago – however the commentator failed to make mention of the other ex-Arsenal star sat beside Silva.
Former Arsenal defender Johan Djourou was sat alongside Silva for the clash against the Magpies but went unnoticed thanks to his unrecognisable new look.
Johan Djourou (left) and Gilberto Silva (right) watching Arsenal’s clash with Newcastle
Former Arsenal defender Djourou went unnoticed by commentators with his new look
Djorou – who made 140 appearances for the Gunners during his time at the club – now sports a new haircut style and beard – far different from his days on the pitch.
Taking to X to comment on the situation, one fan wrote: ‘Crazy commentators ..he recognised Gilberto but didnt Know Johan Djourou’.
Another wrote: ‘Drury didn’t recognise Johan Djourou there, and fair enough’.
‘Commentator acknowledges Gilberto Silva sitting in the stand watching the game but failed to recognise Johan Djourou as a former player of Arsenal. Really bad!’, one user said.
Djourou spent eight seasons with the Gunners during his playing career before eventually leaving to join German side Hamburg.
Meanwhile, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has promised a big summer of transfers to make his side worthy Premier League title contenders next season.
The manager confirmed at least ‘four or five players’ will be departing at the end of this season. They include Jorginho, who is joining Brazilian side Flamengo, and the Celtic-bound Kieran Tierney.
Fans were quick to point out that Peter Drury ‘failed to recognise’ the former defender
Loanees Neto and Raheem Sterling are also going, with Oleksandr Zinchenko expected to depart, too.
He said: ‘Obviously we need players because the squad is really short, and on top of that we are losing four or five players that are going to end contracts, and their loans are finished.
‘So, we need to be sharp. Again, very disciplined in what we want to do, and make sure that we are strong in the next season.’
When asked how big the summer ahead is, he said: ‘Finish the season, go to the beach and make sure the ones upstairs (hierarchy) do what they need to do.’
