Arsenal kicked off their pre-season campaign by running riot against MLS All-Stars at the Audi Field. The game made the headlines for multiple reasons, including an absolute howler from the broadcasting team. As per a clip that went viral online, both, the presenter and the on-field interviewer failed to distinguish Folarin Balogun from Bukayo Saka. The moment caused outrage online, but things might not be as clear-cut as they seem.
It all occurred during the post-match proceedings, as both players were interviewed separately. The clip doing the rounds online displays the presenter announcing Bukayo Saka’s name, only for the visual feed to cut to an interview with Folarin Balogun. Equipped with the mic, the on-field interviewer seems to take Saka’s name as well, despite standing right in front of Balogun.
AppleTV better be firing some people today 😳 https://t.co/MvUp1P5Kqs
— Soccer Cards HQ (@SoccerCardsHQ) July 20, 2023
Balogun being USMNT player makes this x10 funnier https://t.co/nU4FQ4wpEV
— Bavarian Bias (@Slimesteiger) July 20, 2023
Not only racist but poor footie knowledge as well https://t.co/XoCODVLHGV
— Dhakkan Rice (@Sahil_Adhikaari) July 20, 2023
What a howler https://t.co/W8wbruRqx2
— SAM O (@_SamObaseki) July 20, 2023
American media moment , this is so embarrassing Bruh 💀 https://t.co/aGqpbaBqdv
— CaptainMB (@capnyuji) July 20, 2023
It took minutes for the clip to find its way to social media. Following this, fans chipped in with their reactions. While some went as far as to accuse the broadcast personnel of racism, others simply laughed off the botch.
Some also pointed out the irony, as Balogun recently made headlines for switching to the USMNT. Yet, the clip makes it seem as if it barely caused a ripple in the US.
— صالح (@SalehAlnahdi_) July 20, 2023
Intriguingly enough, some users claimed that the clip misrepresented the broadcast. And by the looks of it, these claims are credible. As it turns out, it wasn’t a case of misidentification, as the broadcast simply jumbled together two different audio and visual feeds. All the noise surrounding the clip ended up taking attention away from the game itself.
Arsenal thrash MLS All-stars in pre-season friendly
Speaking of the match, it saw the Gunners register a dominant victory over their American hosts. Reinforced by the additions of Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, and Jurrien Timber, Arsenal were at their imperious best. They outclassed the MLS All-Stars from the first whistle, eventually defeating them by 5-0.
Kai Havertz can score volleys 🤷♂️
(via @MLS)pic.twitter.com/HQ7vyL4Uz8
— B/R Football (@brfootball) July 20, 2023
The goal fest started in the fifth minute with Gabriel Jesus’ deft chip. Leandro Trossard made it 2-0 before halftime, and during the second half, the London outfit added three more goals. $84 million signing Kai Havertz opened his Arsenal account with a powerful volley, after being ruthlessly trolled for his abysmal display during the ‘cross and volley challenge’.