Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta responds to Premier League ban for Aston Villa game

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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has now responded to his ban for Saturday’s game away to Aston Villa after picking up a yellow card away to Luton Town in the Premier League.

Referee Sam Barrott gave Arteta a yellow card for over-celebrating Declan Rice’s dramatic winning goal at Kenilworth Road on Tuesday. It was the Arsenal boss’ third caution this term. So, he must now sit in the stands when his Gunners team travels to Aston Villa this Saturday.

Arteta struggled to contain his joy after Rice scored in the 97th minute to hand Arsenal a 4-3 win at Luton. The midfielder headed in captain Martin Odegaard’s stoppage-time cross for a theatrical result. Arsenal had led Luton 1-0 and 2-1 before falling 3-2 behind in Bedfordshire.

Mikel Arteta received a yellow card at Luton Town under the Premier League’s new rules

Rice’s goal sparked wild celebrations on the Arsenal bench and with his teammates as it also moved them five points clear atop the Premier League table. But referee Barrott – in charge of only his sixth career top-flight game – took issue with how Arteta celebrated their winner.

Arteta must now serve a one-game ban when Arsenal visit Aston Villa as the Premier League only lets all managers get three yellow cards before a suspension. The league introduced the rule this season. Players are still suspended after five yellows in their team’s first 19 fixtures.

Mikel Arteta refused to let the Premier League’s new rule ruin his ‘pure emotion’ at Luton

Arteta refused to let the Premier League’s new rule stop the Arsenal coach from celebrating Rice’s winner at Luton, though. His celebration was an act of ‘pure emotion’ at the Gunners claiming three points with the last meaningful moment of the meeting amid their title fight.

“I could not be seated in my seat,” Arteta told BeIN Sports. “It was pure emotion. If that’s a yellow, that’s a yellow.”

Referee Barrott also showed Luton duo Jacob Brown and Ross Barkley plus Gabriel Jesus of Arsenal yellow cards on Tuesday. The cautions took the official to 22 yellow cards for players in just six Premier League games this term. He was mainly a League One referee in 2022/23.