Arsenal fans in Uganda arrested for celebrating Man United win questioned as they 'didn't know when Invincibles was'
Police in Uganda had reason to suspect foul play when arresting 'at least' eight Arsenal supporters for celebrating the 3-2 win over Manchester United – because the fans didn't know when the Invincibles season was.
The BBC reported on Monday that the arrests had been made in the Ugandan city of Jinja in the hours after the thrilling Premier League contest.
It has been reported the fans, dressed in Arsenal shirts and holding aloft a replica trophy they'd just bought from a local shop, didn't have a permit to hold the procession – which is a public order offence in Uganda.
The police now say they have questioned the supporters and became more suspicious when it was revealed one of the fans believed the famous Invincibles season was in 2007.
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It was, of course, 2003/04 when Arsene Wenger's revered side went through an entire Premier League campaign without tasting defeat.
That was also the most recent time Arsenal have lifted the league title – a drought Mikel Arteta's title-chasing side are seeking to end this term.
Ugandan regional police spokesperson James Mubi revealed to the media that his colleagues sought the 'motive' for the celebration after making the arrests.
He said: "These are people who, after bringing them [to the] police, they didn't know any basics about Arsenal. Because when we asked about the unbeaten run [Invincibles season], they say it was in 2007."
Mubi, a self-declared Arsenal fan himself, had previously said: "What would happen if an altercation with rival fans broke out? They did not inform police to provide security for their procession."
Baker Kasule, one of the fans arrested, said: “I don’t know what we have done but we were simply celebrating our victory over rivals Manchester United."
Eddie Nketiah's brace and a superb long range Bukayo Saka goal secured the 3-2 win for Arsenal over United who had lead through Marcus Rashford.
Lisandro Martinez made it 2-2 before Nketiah's late winner gave Arsenal a five-point gap at the league's summit; they lead Manchester City, with United level on points with Newcastle in third.
Dominic Booth