Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta suggests how to stop managers celebrating with players - 'We need a very strong rope'
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Updated 08/12/2023 at 15:13 GMT
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta won't be on the touchline for Saturday's Premier League trip to Aston Villa. The Gunners boss picked up a third yellow card to earn a suspension when he sprinted down the touchline to celebrate a last-gasp winner against Luton Town on Tuesday. The Spaniard has suggested using a "very strong rope" to cordon off the technical area and temper emotions of club staff.
'A special night' - Arteta praises Arsenal's character after thrilling last-gasp win at Luton
Mikel Arteta says he will continue to show his emotions on the touchline despite his recent ban, and suggested fencing off the technical area with a rope to stop staff from joining in with celebrations.
The Gunners boss picked up his third yellow card of the season when he rushed off the bench to celebrate Declan Rice’s dramatic late winner in a 4-3 victory over Luton Town on Tuesday.
Arteta was handed a one-match suspension and will miss Saturday’s Premier League clash with Aston Villa, which he expects to watch from the director’s box at Villa Park.
“We are [allowed to celebrate] but I think we have a boundary that maybe we have to extend, or we just need a very strong rope with the bench so maybe we don’t move. That means we don’t move, all of us, we don’t move,” Arteta said.
The Spaniard charged down the touchline to celebrate Rice’s goal, which put Arsenal two points clear on top of the table after 15 rounds of league action.
This isn’t the first time this season that Arteta’s conduct has come under the spotlight, as he was charged by the FA for comments he made about the officiating following a controversial defeat to Newcastle United last month.
“I don't know how to stop [celebrating], it was a really emotional moment,” Arteta said.
“You have everybody bouncing around and you lose sense of where you are, and the space that you have to be in.
“It was unfortunate because now I cannot be next to my team on the touchline, but it is a decision that they have made. If you look strictly at the rules, yes, we cannot do that. But the context is different and then the ‘we’ I think is very important within the context.”
Asked if he would like to stop showing his emotion on the touchline, Arteta said: “If I was given the opportunity no, I would like to be there with my players because we work closely every single day to achieve what we want, which is to win the games in whatever manner.
“When you get those moments in sport, you should be able to do that, but I understand there are certain boundaries and you have to respect them, such as when you are in an away ground. But if I was given the chance, I would be there jumping.”
Arsenal's Saturday assignment sees them take on a high-flying Villa side sitting in third place, four points behind the Gunners.
Arteta paid tribute to his next opponents and their manager, his fellow Spaniard and former Arsenal manager Unai Emery.
“Huge credit to them, huge credit to Unai and the coaching staff for what they’ve done,” said Arteta.
“They’ve turned things around, the way they play, they’re going to be a really tough opponent. It’s a great place to go, one of my favourite grounds, a very English ground and a great atmosphere to play football in, so it’s going to be a big chance for us.
“I followed [Emery] since he was in Almeria. What he’s done for every team has been always remarkable.
“He always improves the players, the team, the club and he’s Basque, like I am, and he’s a manager that I really admire for what he’s done in the game. He’s done it in various countries at different levels and has always been successful, so I’m really happy for him.”
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