mikel arteta defended his “passion” on the touchline after Arsenal’s manager was criticized for his erratic antics during Tuesday’s draw against Newcastle. Arteta had an angry exchange with Newcastle boss Eddie Howe after referee Andrew Madley turned down Arsenal’s appeal for a stoppage-time penalty at the Emirates Stadium. Arteta described the decision as “reprehensible” but on Friday Premier League leaders were accused by the Football Association of failing to control their players after Madley was beheaded after a flashpoint in the goalless stalemate.
This is not the first time Arteta has lost his temper during a game and the former England captain Allen Shearer labeled his antics against Newcastle as “disgraceful”.
But the Spaniard is adamant he has no reason to apologize for his behavior as he was only reacting to a significant sporting incident.
Arteta said on Saturday, “I am not part of that debate. Of course, he can have his own opinion.”
“I try to do my best for this football club, to defend it, to promote it, and to play with the passion with which the game is meant to be played.
“Every sport is special and every manager approaches situations very differently. And you can’t take the context out of a situation.
“It’s not fair. That’s me, here and on the pitch, for good and for bad.”
Ahead of Arsenal’s FA Cup third round tie at League One side Oxford on Monday, Arteta was asked if he was ready to change his behaviour.
“That’s me and I’ll try to get better all the time and everything I do, whether it’s tomorrow, the next day, or the next one, to make the club stronger and my players better, to play better And win,” he said.
“But if I want to do something, I will do it, and if I want to change something, believe me, I will look myself in the mirror and change it very quickly.”
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and was auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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