Rugby league side Warrington Wolves aim brutal dig at Arsenal over mascot treatment

Super League side Warrington Wolves have aimed a dig at Arsenal over their treatment of a young mascot.

Arsenal attracted criticism earlier this week after the club posted a video of their first-team paying little attention to a young mascot ahead of their Premier League match against West Ham.

In the clip, the young mascot waits patiently for the players as they arrive at the London Stadium before, one by one, they sign an Arsenal shirt she is holding.

But many of them keep their headphones in before passing the pen to their next team-mate, without speaking or interacting with the young girl.

Arsenal posted the video on their social media alongside the caption: "Making memories with our mascot".

It prompted an angry response from football fans, with many questioning why the players would not make more of an effort.

Social media personality Rory Jennings branded it "disgusting", while Nick Knowles urged the club to invite the girl and her family back.

talkSPORT presenter and Arsenal fan Laura Woods also questioned the players' behaviour, adding: "What does it take to say, 'Hi'?"

Warrington Wolves aim dig at Arsenal

Rugby league side Warrington Wolves has now aimed a dig at Arsenal over their treatment of the mascot.

Posting a video of their own squad greeting a player from the club's learning disability team, the Wolves' Twitter account wrote: "This is how you do it, @Arsenal."

This is how you do it, @Arsenal

The lads welcomed Jamie from our Learning Disability team to training today 👏 https://t.co/LUcQPQvmpN pic.twitter.com/o1q8Uy4aR1

— Warrington Wolves (@WarringtonRLFC) April 19, 2023

However, the father of the young Arsenal mascot has since defended the club's players, insisting his daughter thoroughly enjoyed her "special" day.

"My daughter had a lovely time as Mascot for @Arsenal. There was only a small window to meet the players and she enjoyed it very much," he wrote on Twitter.

“[Martin] Odegaard is her favourite player so to hold his hand onto the pitch was very special."