Arsenal vs Tottenham: Jan Vertonghen does a Vinnie Jones on Olivier Giroud after appearing to grab his privates

Giroud and Vertonghen clashed in the first half although video footage has proven inconclusive

Jack de Menezes
Monday 09 November 2015 08:22 GMT
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Jan Vertonghen appears to grab Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud
Jan Vertonghen appears to grab Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud (Reuters)

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The north London derby between Arsenal and Tottenham saw the bragging rights shared in a 1-1 draw, but that was far from the biggest talking point from the Emirates showdown.

Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud looked to be at his angriest – especially when he missed chance after chance in front of goal – but it was his confrontation with Spurs defender Jan Vertonghen that sparked most interest.

The Belgian centre-back appeared to be jostling with his French opponent, prompting the Gunners front-man to lash out and shove Vertonghen to the floor via his chest after visiting the ground himself. Vertonghen looked more bemused than hurt as he looked up at Giroud, but the antics didn’t stop there.

In shades of the 1988 incident between Vinnie Jones and a rather more unfortunate Paul Gascoigne, Vertonghen appeared to drag himself off the Emirates turf and grab Giroud in his private area before running off.

Pictures emerged after the match of the incident, although video evidence has so far proven inconclusive. However, depending on what the TV cameras picked up during Sunday’s encounter, action could yet be taken against the Spurs defender if it’s believed he has a case to answer.

Jan Vertonghen appears to grab Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud
Jan Vertonghen appears to grab Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud (Reuters)
Giroud stars down at Vertonghen during the north London derby
Giroud stars down at Vertonghen during the north London derby (Reuters)
A different picture appears to show Vertonghen grabbing Giroud by the shorts
A different picture appears to show Vertonghen grabbing Giroud by the shorts (Reuters)
The famous incident between Vinnie Jones and Paul Gascoigne
The famous incident between Vinnie Jones and Paul Gascoigne

Watch the incident below...

Gascoigne was on the receiving end of a similar act from Jones during an FA Cup tie between Wimbledon and Newcastle 27 years ago, when the Crazy Gang hard man thought he had kept his sneaky grab under wraps despite ‘Gazza’ collapsing in a heap to the floor.

However, in what went on to become one of the most memorable moments in British football history, the TV cameras picked up Jones grabbing Gascoigne’s testicles while he had his back turned to him.

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