Arsenal stars put to shame by AFL gun as mascot video comes to light

Melbourne hero Max Gawn may still be nursing a knee injury but the premiership-winning captain showed he has plenty of time for young footy fans by completing a marathon autograph session on Wednesday.

Gawn, who suffered the devastating injury in Round 2, attended the Dees’ junior member clinic and ensured that no single child was left without an autograph or selfie after the session.

‘Ninety minutes after the conclusion, Max Gawn remains out on Casey Fields making sure every young Demon gets their jumper signed,’ the Demons wrote on Twitter.

He then stayed for a further 15 minutes to sign footballs, boots and guernseys and pose for selfies, in a classy act that fans couldn’t help but praise.  

‘That’s what a leader looks like,’ one fan posted. ‘Being a role model to his team and society.’ Another added: ‘Just like every good captain should do.’

Melbourne captain Max Gawn stayed behind for 105 minutes to sign autographs 

Fans have hailed the premiership-winning captain for his selfless act on Wednesday

‘Max proved once again today what an amazing leader he is,’ a third fan wrote. ‘Making time for every kid to feel special! Such an impressive human being.’

‘We were his second last signing of the day. Kids were so patient,’ another fan posted.

‘Max was truly charming and lovely til the very end, even happy to chat to my non football loving husband about cycling. Thank you MFC. Such a great day for the kids (and me!).’

Gawn’s generous act comes 24 hours after Premier League leaders Arsenal were criticised after a video of their stars ignoring a young mascot while signing her shirt came to light. 

The video shows manager Mikel Arteta and his players filing past eight-year-old Olivia Murray and writing on the replica top, but apparently failing to acknowledge the youngster as she gazed at them in admiration.

One of the stars was Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard, picked out by Olivia as her favourite player in the matchday programme, who approached her with his earphones in before briskly signing the shirt and walking away.

But after criticism from celebrities including Nick Knowles, Laura Woods and Piers Morgan, Olivia’s father has leapt to the players’ defence – insisting the footage was just a ‘small window’ on her day. He also shared a photo of her holding Odegaard’s hand.

The generous move comes after Arsenal players were criticised for ignoring a young mascot 

‘My daughter had a lovely time as Mascot for @Arsenal,’ Mr Murray tweeted. ‘There was only a small window to meet the players and she enjoyed it very much. Odegaard is her favourite player so to hold his hand onto the pitch was very special.’

Arsenal captioned the video ‘making memories with our mascot’ and shared it on Twitter on Sunday.

But it prompted an instant backlash, with critics including TV presenter Nick Knowles.

He wrote: ‘I suggest @Arsenal you get her and her family back and give your players another go at being decent human beings – admittedly they’d have to be coached into it but it might be something that sticks with some of them if it’s pointed out’.

Lifelong Gunners fan Piers Morgan added: ‘Come on guys, at least one of you say hello to her?!!’