
Richard Keys has labelled Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta as an ‘irritating man’ and questioned why he is allowed to venture outside of his technical area with impunity.
Arsenal moved into the Champions League qualification places with a massive 3-1 victory over Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium this afternoon.
As ever, the Spanish boss was an animated figure on the touchline and occasionally operated outside of his designated area.
On one occasion, Arteta confronted referee Craig Pawson after Eddie Nketiah’s goal was disallowed, as the official made his way to a touchline monitor to review footage of a penalty appeal which he later awarded to the Gunners, with Bukayo Saka scoring to make it 2-0.
Here’s what Keys posted on Twitter this afternoon:
Harsh?
Well, maybe a little.
Arteta has been under a lot of pressure these past few weeks, with Arsenal losing three Premier League matches in succession until beating Chelsea in midweek.
Nevertheless, the former Gunners midfielder and captain has always been a passionate figure on the touchline and yes, occasionally strays from his technical area.
However, he is by no means the only Premier League manager to commit this sort of breach and for Keys to brand him ‘irritating’ feels a little personal.

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