This is horrible…
We’ve no idea which Arsenal player was responsible, but we’re willing to give them the benefit of the doubt and say they definitely didn’t mean for this to happen.
With Unai Emery’s side warming up on the Mestalla pitch ahead of their crucial Europa League semi-final with Valencia on Thursday, Gol TV’s Mónica Benavent was struck on the back of the head with a ball while live on air.
The reporter was midway through a touchline report when the ball hits her, causing her to disappear out of shot. The broadcast swiftly cuts back to the studio soon afterwards.
BT Sport’s Jake Humphrey was one of the first to share the footage on Twitter, explaining that he and Martin Keown had been 5 yards away at the time it happened.
This happened about 5 yards from us. I think they were aiming for Keown… pic.twitter.com/c27S4auGdI
— Jake Humphrey (@mrjakehumphrey) May 9, 2019
‘I think they were aiming for Keown’, he said, a reference to the time the former Arsenal defender was hit in the face by a ball during a live broadcast for ESPN.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ACcNOlN4rw
Thankfully, Benavent has since tweeted to confirm she’s okay, joking that it’s nothing that can’t be cured with a bit of ibuprofen.
¡Vivita y coleando! Os escribe la primera en comprobar que el @valenciacf estaba afinando la puntería para el #ValenciaArsenal que sí ya pintaba a épico, para mi lo empieza a ser. 🤣 💪🏽 Nada que no cure un Ibuprofeno. #ElMédicoYaLeDijoAMiMadreQueTeníaUnaBuenaCabeza pic.twitter.com/ipTrdcIuVO
— Mónica Benavent (@monicabenaventv) May 9, 2019
Arsenal progressed to the Europa League final with a 4-2 victory over Valencia on the night, meaning the tie finished 7-3 on aggregate in favour of the Gunners.
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