A pitch invader has been arrested after he appeared to attack Chris Smalling during Arsenal vs Manchester United .
The fan entered the pitch as the Gunners were celebrating their second goal, when Pierre Emerick Aubameyang had converted a penalty, at the Emirates.
He ran past United defender Smalling and hung his arm out, appearing to make contact with the back of his neck.
The yob then continued his invasion by celebrating with the Arsenal players – before stewards grabbed him and escorted him off he pitch.
Arsenal later confirmed that the thug had been arrested on suspicion of common assault and was kept in custody in north London.
A Met Police statement said: “A man has been arrested on suspicion of common assault and pitch invasion following an incident during the Arsenal v Man Utd game at the Emirates Stadium today. He is currently in custody at a north London police station.”
“You see the fan coming on and going to Chris Smalling. An absolute numpty,” said Neville, speaking on Sky Sports.
“I said earlier on today they [fan] need to be punished for it. And Arsenal do for that as well.
“Watching the recent Rangers game at Hibs and the fans think they can get away with it and clubs think they can get away with it.”
Commentator Martin Tyler claimed that banning orders from the stadium for offenders are “not sufficient enough”.
And Neville agreed, saying: “No. Absolutely not.