The Premier League clash between Arsenal and Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon delivered not only a dramatic 3-2 victory for the Red Devils but also sparked a playful social media exchange between football legend David Beckham and his son Romeo, who famously supports the Gunners.
David Beckham's Social Media Celebration
Following Manchester United's comeback win, which saw Michael Carrick's side overturn a 1-0 deficit to lead 2-1 before a late Mikel Merino equaliser was cancelled out by Matheus Cunha's 87th-minute winner, David Beckham took to social media to revel in the result. The former England international posted a vintage photo of himself celebrating in his Manchester United days, captioning it with a cheeky dig at his son: "You ok Romeo??"
Beckham followed up with another nostalgic image, referencing Sir Alex Ferguson's famous phrase by writing: "As the Boss would say, 'squeaky Bum time'. The Gap is getting smaller." This referred to Arsenal's lead at the top of the table being cut to just four points ahead of Manchester City, with Manchester United now in fourth place, 12 points behind the leaders.
Romeo's Retort and Family Dynamics
Romeo Beckham, 23, was more than happy to engage in the banter. The Arsenal fan shared a screenshot of the Premier League table on his own story, tagging his father with the caption: "@davidbeckham don't get too gassed. Mind the gap." This light-hearted exchange came amid a week where David Beckham found himself in headlines due to eldest son Brooklyn publicly distancing himself from the family, highlighting the contrasting relationships within the Beckham household.
The Origins of Romeo's Arsenal Fandom
Despite his father's deep-rooted Manchester United allegiances, Romeo has been an outspoken Arsenal supporter for years. His connection to the club stems from his time in their youth academy before moves to Inter Miami and a brief spell with Brentford B. In a revealing interview with Rio Ferdinand, David Beckham explained how Romeo became an Arsenal fan during a childhood visit to London.
"He was really young and we were in London one Friday and he was like, 'Dad let's go to a game this weekend,'" Beckham recalled. "So I started to look at the fixtures and I was like 'uh, Arsenal are at home'. I thought, do you know what, they're always really nice to me when I go down to watch United and Arsenal, and I thought okay, they'll look after us, there won't be any hassle getting in."
A Fateful Meeting with Arsène Wenger
The visit proved transformative. After enjoying "amazing seats" in the director's box and an "unbelievable" pre-match lunch featuring wagyu beef, then-Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger approached their table. "He comes straight over to the table, introduces himself to Romeo, and he says 'come with me son'," Beckham explained. "So he takes him down to the changing room, meets all the players, gives him a shirt, signed, takes him onto the pitch, walks him back up to the table and then gives him an Arsenal cashmere scarf, and that was it. It was done. I've tried to change his mind since but impossible."
This personal touch from Wenger and the club sealed Romeo's loyalty, creating a lasting bond that even his father's attempts couldn't break. The story underscores how formative experiences can shape sporting allegiances, transcending family traditions.
Implications for the Premier League Title Race
Manchester United's victory not only delighted David Beckham but also tightened the Premier League title race. Arsenal remain top but with reduced momentum, while United's win boosts their top-four aspirations after a turbulent start to the year. The result adds intrigue to the season's climax, with both clubs' fortunes likely to influence future family banter between the Beckhams.
In related news, former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira has singled out three Arsenal stars for criticism following the defeat, though Declan Rice received praise for his performance, highlighting ongoing scrutiny of Mikel Arteta's squad.
