Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta didn’t gain many new fans from his side’s win over Manchester United on Wednesday evening, with ex-Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher far from impressed with the manager’s antics.
It came during a difficult game for the Gunners, where they faced a defensively solid United side at the Emirates Stadium.
Goals from Jurrien Timber and William Saliba made the difference in the second half, with Arsenal’s set-pieces coming into focus once again.
While Gary Neville was annoyed by set-piece coach Nicolas Jover, it was Mikel Arteta who came under fire from Jamie Carragher during the match.
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Jamie Carragher slams Mikel Arteta for technical area move in Arsenal vs Man United
In recent seasons, Arteta has managed to frustrate many spectators of Arsenal games when he’s moved close to the edge of his technical area.
The manager often gets close to play, sometimes impeding it on the edges when it’s close to going out for a throw-in.
It’s something that has ruffled a few feathers before and he did so again during Arsenal vs Manchester United on Wednesday.
In the second half, around the 64th minute, Arteta seemingly got in the way of a duel between Manuel Ugarte and Gabriel Martinelli.
It angered Jamie Carragher during the Stick to Football watch along, who said: “Honestly… he needs tackling.”
When Ian Wright asked if he would challenge Arteta, the ex-Liverpool defender said: “I’d tackle him. Even if we were in possession.
“If I had the ball and he was that close to me, I’d follow through, I’d tackle him.”
It was a clear point of frustration from the pundit, who isn’t the first one to raise concerns about Arteta’s touchline conduct.
The Arsenal boss is yet to be impacted by a player on the sidelines though, which may well keep him close to the field of play for now.
What Mikel Arteta has said about his touchline behaviour
While Carragher is clearly one of many people annoyed by Arteta’s behaviour on the touchline, he has already answered their call for him to stop.
Discussing the issue a year ago back in December 2023, after he was booked for “excessive celebrating”, he said: “I would like to be with my players because we work closely every single day to achieve what we want, which is to win the games and when you get those moments in sport you should be able to do that.
“I understand as well that there are certain boundaries and you have to respect that you are at an away ground but if I was given the chance I would be there jumping.”
In this instance, it wasn’t exactly his celebrating, but his closeness to the touchline that has irked many people.
It won’t be the first, nor will it be the last time that Arteta is criticised for his leaving of the technical area.
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