Mikel Arteta has developed a reputation for being a fiery character in recent years at Arsenal.
The Spaniard has often been labelled with this tag due to some of his outbursts about refereeing decisions, as well as how animated he can get on the touchline.
The media have been quick to lament the Gunners boss’ antics, criticising him for hitting out at referees.
However, evidence has emerged that shows the reputation Arteta has built maybe somewhat unfair and innacurate.
- READ MORE: Arsenal have made ‘quantum leap’ with Champions League financial change in huge transfer boost
Mikel Arteta spends less time outside of his technical area than most managers
Arteta cited the Carabao Cup ball as something Arsenal had to adapt to in his team’s defeat to Newcastle United in January.
This prompted significant criticism of the manager, with people feeling he was making an excuse for Arsenal’s poor performance.
However, the head coach was merely responding to a question and the answer wasn’t framed as an excuse.
These sorts of comments, along with his tendency to make his feelings known on the sidelines, appear to have deterred the Arsenal man’s reputation.
However, Arteta never wants to make excuses and isn’t actually outside of his technical area very frequently.
In a study conducted by a BBC journalist, it was found that while Arteta is never in his dugout, he infringes the technical area rule much less frequently than a handful of Premier League managers.
Spending 40% of his time outside of his assigned zone, Ivan Juric, Unai Emery and Nuno Espirito Santo all spend significantly more time breaking the rules.
The Nottingham Forest boss spends a staggering 83% of his time overseeing matches outside of his technical area.
Yet, this certainly doesn’t fit the narrative, with Arteta often accused of not sticking to the designated area he’s given.
Richard Keys was once fuming with Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta
As evidenced by these statistics, remaining in your technical area isn’t something managers actually do that much, and when the rule is breached it’s rarely punished.
It’s a minor infringement that officials aren’t generally overly bothered about, and neither should anyone else.
It certainly doesn’t impact the game and is merely a result of managers getting swept up in the heat of the moment.
However, broadcaster Richard Keys has been enraged by Arteta leaving his technical area on multiple ocassions.
Posting on X about it in September 2022, Keys wrote: “Why is Arteta allowed to spend the game on the touchline? Again today – in front of the 4th official as well. Does he has special dispensation?”
In a more aggressive outburst just a few months later, the presenter posted: “Why is this allowed every week PGMOL? Arteta has been jumping up & down all game – way outside his technical area. Potter is in his & 4th is watching. Do something about this man.”
Aside from the simple fact that most managers break the rule in almost every single game, often on multiple occasions, the fact Keys was so irate about it was bizarre.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
