Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has spoken of his ’emotional evolution’ allowing him to be on the touchline to face Aston Villa at the Emirates this weekend.
In the reverse fixture at Villa Park in December, Arteta was in the stands serving a suspension after gathering three yellow cards. Arsenal lost that match 0-1 and the Spanish coach spoke of his relief to be able to be down there with the players this time around and his frustration that he got banned last year.
He said: “It was an experience. I deserved it. I had to go upstairs because I got the yellow cards. I experienced it. I didn’t like it so hopefully it doesn’t happen again.”
In a season where many rival managers have been suspended such as Manchester United’s Eric Ten Haag, Brighton coach Roberto De Zerbi and Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, Arteta says that managers and referees have seemed to have established an understanding.
When asked about if managers have now adjusted to the new rules concerning their touchline behaviour he said: “Maybe. The rule came up and it was very aggressive. Every time we were talking it was like ‘oh you’re going to get a yellow card’. I think now it’s a bit smoother as well. There’s a bit more understanding in both ways of what we expect from each other. That’s it.”
Arteta is a very lively and vocal presence on the touchline and is described as a great leader. Now, like his team, he feels everyoen at the club is more of control of their emotions as they challenge for the Premier League title. In previous seasons and before the suspension against Aston Villa there were a lot of clips of him mocking referees and losing his temper with them.
When asked if he felt he has improved in controlling his emotions he replied: “I think it has evolved, I don’t know if it is for better or worse. It’s not me the one that has to judge that. In the end, it’s how much I help the club, how much I help the team and individual players to try to perform and win as many matches as we can. And this is the final objective, always.”
Ahead of the game he also spoke about how highly he thinks of the former Arsenal manager and current Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery.
Arteta added: “What they’ve done since Unai came in. He’s made a huge impact in terms of performances. It’s consistently unbelievable what they’ve been doing. They’re in a European competition where I have been really impressed with what they’ve done.”
Nevertheless, Arsenal fans will hope Arteta can keep his emotions in check nd lead Arsenal to the title. I don’t think anyone can complain if he does get carded again for ‘excessive celebrations’ if it happens.
