Mikel Arteta will not be on the touchline in Arsenal’s clash with Aston Villa on Saturday, having picked up a yellow card during Tuesday’s victory over Luton Town.
Declan Rice scored a dramatic last-minute winner to give his side all three points, which sparked scenes of wild celebration from Arteta and his coaching staff.
The fourth official gave the Spaniard a talking to, before Arteta received a yellow card for what was deemed excessive celebrations, and as it is his third booking of the season, he will now watch Saturday’s game from the stands.
Referee decision over Mikel Arteta slammed
Journalist Charles Watts has now expressed his fury over the decision to award Arteta a yellow card for celebrating, and claimed that the whole affair was “ridiculous.”
“This is so, so mad,” he posted on X.
“I was convinced he must have done something that the cameras didn’t pick up, but it doesn’t seem so. It’s just so ridiculous.”
Arteta has had his share of run-ins with Premier League referees this season, and is still awaiting punishment after being charged by the FA for comments he made following Arsenal’s defeat to Newcastle.
Is Arteta being unfairly targeted for his antics?
Arteta has been criticised in the past for his animated behaviour on the touchline, with some claiming that he is often too emotional during games.
Arsenal fans however, adore the passion he shows during games, and the players also seem to appreciate his relationship with the team and the fanbase.
His celebrations against Luton, although passionate, were nothing out of the ordinary, particularly given the context of the goal.
Arsenal fans have even pointed out that Brighton coach Roberto De Zerbi also celebrates exuberantly, but does not face the same criticism as the Spaniard.
With Arsenal coming up against their old boss Unai Emery on Saturday, the players will have to navigate an incredibly difficult fixture without their manager on the touchline, and this all stems from an unjustified decision from the referee against Luton.
Yellow cards being handed out for celebrations has always been a controversial topic. Most fans believe that celebrating brings a different emotion to the game, and both players and managers cannot expect to be robotic during dramatic moments.
Rice’s winner was indeed a dramatic moment, as the Arsenal away fans in attendance exploded into chaos when the ball found the bottom corner, and the players all rushed over to the away end to share their joy.
It was a result which keeps Arsenal at the top of the league, and following Manchester City’s defeat to Aston Villa, Arteta’s side are now six points ahead of the Champions.
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