Mike Dean couldn't help but smile as Aaron Ramsdale celebrated Arsenal 's opener against West Ham United on Sunday.
The Gunners grabbed a much needed three points against the Hammers at the London Stadium as they continued their push for the top four. Rob Holding headed home his first Premier League goal to put the visitors ahead before Gabriel notched a second-half winner.
Ramsdale, a summer signing from Sheffield United, has become known for his expressive celebrations. He was seen gesturing in his penalty area as the rest of the team huddled together in the other half of the pitch. Mike Dean was on duty and Arsenal's Access All Areas footage has shown the referee smiling as the goalkeeper revelled in his side's opener.
Dean will be retiring from ref duty this summer having officiated over 500 games. He has forged himself something of a celebrity reputation for some of his antics on the pitch and the touchline. Dean is going to be on VAR duty for the upcoming north London derby, which could be decisive in deciding fourth place.
Mikel Arteta has led Arsenal impressively this season following a slow start a said on the top four race: "Everybody is going to put pressure because everybody wants to play in the position that we are right now. We have to handle that and we have a great opportunity and that willingness and motivation that we have is driving us to continue to do something."
Ramsdale's celebrations have seen him cop criticism however. The Arsenal shotstopper saw a Bruno Fernandes penalty rebound off the post in a recent win over Manchester United at the Emirates. It saw him jump up before fist pumping, but Danny Murphy accused the No 1 of being too emotional.
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He said on TalkSport: "I always think when you’re getting too emotionally involved you’re detracting from your own performance When you start getting to the Martin Keown in [Ruud] van Nistelrooy’s face or Ramsdale jumping out [against United], I think you’re losing the plot a little bit. It’s all a bit for fans. I understand it. If I was his manager I’d be saying, 'Don’t do that again'."
Ramsdale though defended his actions on That Peter Crouch Podcast : "I think it got blown out of proportion because there was five or six Arsenal players in front of me so I celebrated with them. It looked like it, I probably had that a bit in my head then stopped halfway, but it's just emotion. Nothing to do with him or to do with the football club or anything like that. It was just pure emotion."
