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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Simon Collings

Arsenal things you might have missed: Nicolas Jover love-in, secret Bukayo Saka nickname and new addition

Arsenal have had a busy time on the pitch with the packed December schedule underway.

The Gunners hosted Manchester United last week, before travelling to Fulham on Sunday.

There was plenty going on off the pitch too, and here Standard Sport takes a look at some moments you might have missed…

Celebrities turn out for Manchester United visit

Arsenal hosting Manchester United may not be a title showdown anymore, but it still seems to be one of the hottest tickets in town.

A host of big names were at Emirates Stadium to watch the Gunners run out 2-0 winners.

Among those present were England rugby star Maro Itoje, Top Boy actor Michael Ward and Romeo Beckham.

Romeo, unlike his father David, is an Arsenal fan and took great delight in reminding his dad of the result on Wednesday night after the Gunners’ win.

“Sleep well @davidbeckham,” he posted on Instagram.

Bukayo Saka with rugby players Andy Onyeama-Christie and Maro Itoje (Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Saka’s new nickname

Bukayo Saka has earned a few nicknames during his Arsenal career.

Former Gunners captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang christened him ‘Little Chilli’ during his time at the club, while supporters often refer to him as ‘Star Boy’.

Jorginho, however, has revealed that the winger has been given a nickname. The midfielder let slip on Rio Ferdinand’s podcast how the Arsenal players call him ‘Pesudo’.

“It means big foot,” said Jorginho. “So when it’s like bad technique or control or something like that, so we start calling him like: ‘Oh, Pesudo!’ Yeah, he goes mad.”

Arsenal players spread some Christmas cheer

Last Monday several Arsenal players were out in Islington ahead of Arsenal in the Community’s 40th anniversary next year.

Ethan Nwaneri, Jurrien Timber, Kai Havertz, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Raheem Sterling and Tommy Setford all visited the Arsenal in the Community Hub to join in the weekly activities there.

Goalkeeper Neto and William Saliba, meanwhile, surprised children at Ashmount Primary School in Islington, taking part in a Q&A and football session.

A productive day was rounded off by David Raya, Jakub Kiwior, Kieran Tierney, Leandro Trossard, Mikel Merino and Saka visiting patients at local hospitals.

Adulation for Jover made clear at Craven Cottage

As the Arsenal bus pulled up outside Craven Cottage on Sunday, the fans flocked to see the players get off.

Leading the way, as always, was Mikel Arteta and he was swiftly followed by his backroom staff.

Arteta was greeted by a huge cheer and so were the players as they got off their bus behind - but it was the same for Nicolas Jover, too.

The set-piece coach has become something of a cult figure at Arsenal and the way he was lauded here summed that up.

Has there even been a backroom staff member with such a following? Next thing you know, he’ll have his own chant.

Odegaard becomes a father

The Arsenal captain announced on Friday that his partner, Helene Spilling, had given birth to their first baby.

Spilling gave birth to a boy on December 1, but the news was not announced by the couple until five days later.

“We love you so much, our little baby boy,” Odegaard and Spilling wrote on a joint post on Instagram.

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