ON THURSDAY, February 24 Arsenal will host Wolverhampton Wanderers in a Premier League fixture postponed from its original date between Christmas and New Year, due to Bruno Lage’s squad being stricken with Covid.

While it was frustrating to have a game called off, with Mikel Arteta’s side in an excellent run of form having trounced Norwich City 5-0 at Carrow Road on Boxing Day – which also followed an outstanding 4-1 victory at Elland Road days before the festive season began - many Arsenal supporters wished Wolves well in a fixture that previously contained absolutely no friction between the sides whatsoever. 

That was until the ten men of Arsenal ground out a hard-fought 1-0 triumph at a raucous Molineux last week – with all hell breaking loose since then. 

Why? Apparently certain Wolves players – no names, no pack drill Ruben Neves – were displeased with the Gunners celebrations moments after the final whistle. 

The former Porto midfielder took a swipe at the Gunners after the match, by saying the visitors from North London had celebrated as if they had won the Premier League.

The 24-year-old went on to say with such moral indignation that he hadn’t seen Arsenal celebrate in that matter for more than a decade. 

Notwithstanding questions such as where was the Portuguese international when Arsenal won four – yes, four – FA Cups in the last eight years – it smacked of sour grapes.

Worse was to come when the official Wolves Twitter account piled in a matter of days later, when Lage’s side earned an excellent 2-0 victory over Spurs at the new White Hart Lane. The account smugly reported that the travelling Wolves fans celebrated, and I quote, ‘in the right way’.

This embarrassing example of the ‘celebration police’ got me thinking. We’ve all played football, and we all know – or should know – how to celebrate in the right manner. 

By that I mean how to conduct yourself, if the team you play for - whether it be a Sunday morning team, or a Monday night five-a-side kickabout – happens to earn victory. 

You shake your opponent's hand with dignity and respect, while wiping any smile off your face until you are with your teammates – and your teammates only. 

Well, that’s exactly what Arteta’s Arsenal team did at Molineux. With the side down to ten men after Gabriel Martinelli’s incredible sending off after ‘collecting’ two yellow cards in approximately 1.4 seconds, the Gunners somehow managed to hold onto a win following Gabriel’s first half goal.

So, at the whistle, joy and relief took over. The team showed respect by shaking hands with their worthy opponents. Then they celebrated with their loyal travelling support, support which I could hear throughout the match, sitting as I was in the Wolves press box opposite. 

Is that so bad? Is that disrespectful in any way whatsoever? No. Emphatically no. 

Gunners legend Ian Wright said as much afterwards, as did his former strike partner Kevin Campbell – along with many other Gooners. 

As I tweeted after the drive back from Wolves: I see the celebration police have been out in force. Why shouldn’t the ten men of Arsenal celebrate a hard-fought victory at a hostile ground because the character they showed deserved to be lauded. If you think otherwise: Get over yourself.

Which is why, if, and it has to be an if – because Wolves are an excellent side, something that has been lost in the aftermath of their mean-spirited reaction to a tough victory – if, Arsenal do beat Wolves next Thursday I will be celebrating long and hard into the night (once I leave the Emirates press obviously). 

Because ‘if’ Arteta’s side pick up another three points from Lage’s team then it will be a hard-earned victory that deserves to be lauded. 

And because celebrating is part of the fabric of sport, of football and of life. 

It’s actually a sign of respect too. Don’t believe me? Next time a team – any team – thrashes opponents 5-0, take a look at the body language of the victors. They won’t be energised, because it was so easy. 

If you have to earn something in sport as much as life victory – then any form of success is so much sweeter. 

So, ‘if’ by chance Arsenal do beat Wolves next week in North London (and it’s certainly not a given considering how good Wolves are) and the celebration police can’t handle passionate eruptions of joy, then I have only one thing to say: Get over yourselves.  

Because I can assure you every Arsenal supporter will be celebrating in the ‘right’ way.