Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta Risks Getting in Trouble After Mocking Referee in Champions League Draw with Atalanta
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has risked getting himself in trouble after appearing to mock the referee in the Gunners’ Champions League draw with Atalanta. The incident occurred in the 62nd minute of the match, when Arteta was not happy with a foul given against his team from a corner.
As per usual, Arteta was a lively presence on the touchline, and he managed to avoid punishment for his actions. However, his behavior was still questionable, and it’s a wonder he didn’t get sent off.
The incident started when Arsenal had a foul given against them from a corner. Arteta was not happy with the call and appeared to mimic French official Clement Turpin’s whistle gesture. He also said "Like this" twice, indicating he felt Turpin was waiting to blow the whistle and penalize his side.
Footage circulating on social media showed Arteta’s reaction, and it’s clear that he was frustrated with the referee’s decision. However, it’s not the first time Arteta has been involved in a controversy, and it’s likely that he will face criticism for his behavior.
Despite the controversy, Arteta was content with the point and singled out goalkeeper David Raya for ensuring they did not lose. "If you can’t win, you have to take the point," Arteta reflected. "We started well, then we lost control and we were very inconsistent. The game was open but we didn’t suffer defensively, apart from the penalty. David Raya made one of the best saves I’ve seen in my life."
Arsenal return to action against champions and title rivals Manchester City on Sunday, and it will be interesting to see how Arteta’s behavior is received by the media and fans. Their next Champions League game is against Paris Saint-Germain on October 1.
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