What Mikel Arteta did after controversial referee incident during Arsenal win v Brighton

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Arsenal were dominant in their 2-0 victory over Brighton, as goals from Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz sent the Gunners temporarily top of the league.

The game was not without difficulty, as whilst Arsenal created a lot of chances, they often could not find the finish until Jesus headed home in the second half.

Referee Tim Robinson caused frustration among the crowd at the Emirates Stadium as he gave a number of fouls against Arsenal, which disrupted what was otherwise a free-flowing performance.

Frustrations grew after James Milner escaped a yellow card for a foul on Bukayo Saka, and Kaoru Mitoma was then cautioned after pulling the winger down.

Mikel Arteta was then given a yellow card for his reaction to the Mitoma foul, much to the annoyance of the Arsenal fans.

Mikel Arteta reacts to yellow card against Brighton

Sky Sports reporter Nick Wright has now revealed how Arteta reacted to the surprise yellow card.

“A wry smile from Arteta as he receives another booking. His fourth of the season!” He stated.

“In fairness I don’t think he was waving his hands for a card. But he was certainly animated down there.

“Referee Tim Robinson not a popular man in this stadium right now.”

Arteta received his fourth caution of the season, having served a touchline ban in Arsenal’s defeat to Aston Villa last week, and having escaped punishment from the FA for comments he made about refereeing decisions against Newcastle, there is plenty of focus on the Spaniard’s behaviour during games.

Is Mikel Arteta being unfairly targeted?

Arsenal fans are far from happy with some of the decisions that have gone against them this season, and Arteta has been criticised by sections of the media for both his exuberance on the touchline, as well as the way he has hit out at referee organisation PGMOL.

The increased scrutiny over him following the investigation, which cleared him of charges of improper behaviour, is likely to continue given how animated he typically is during games.

His booking today was a surprising decision, given that he had reacted in a typical manner to one of his star players being fouled, and Roberto De Zerbi in the opposition dugout is another manager who is usually vocal from his technical area.

The lack of warning for De Zerbi, whilst Arteta was handed a booking, is likely to cause yet more annoyance amongst the Arsenal fanbase, and the manager has every right to be bewildered at the decision from referee Robinson.