Troy Deeney has backed Mikel Arteta amid criticism for the Spaniard’s touchline antics. He also believes the Arsenal players will not want to see their manager change his approach.
Arteta has received an ear bashing this week for his enraged reactions during Arsenal’s 0-0 draw with Newcastle United. The coach was an animated character throughout the fixture as the Toon frustrated his side. He also felt aggrieved with some of the referee’s decisions.
Chris Sutton has dubbed Arteta a ‘clown’ who ‘lost all control’ for his reactions on Tuesday. Ben Foster has also slammed the Spaniard for ‘kicking off’ and going ‘over the top’. Richard Keys has said Arteta is ‘dragging the reputation of a magnificent club through the dirt’, too.
Arteta irritated pundits with his irate antics on the Arsenal touchline vs Newcastle
Arteta has irritated some pundits after hounding fourth official Stuart Attwell for decisions the Arsenal boss felt went against his side against Newcastle. The Spaniard also said it was ‘scandalous’ that referee Andy Madley and VAR Stuart Attwell did not give two penalties.
The officials overlooked a clear foul by Dan Burn on Gabriel Magalhaes just outside of the Toon six-yard area. He clearly hauled the Brazilian back at a free-kick to deny him a chance to attack the ball. They also waved away the Gunners’ protests demanding a late penalty.
Madley and Attwell elected against awarding Arsenal a spot-kick in the closing stages after the ball evidently hit Jacob Murphy’s right elbow. The Newcastle star’s arm was away from his body as it made contact. But the officials felt he was too close as Granit Xhaka crossed.
To further incense Arteta, Madley rarely encouraged the Magpies players to resume play with any urgency. Newcastle sought to waste as much time as they possibly could through their trip to north London. Yet Madley did not add on comparable stoppage time, either.
Deeney backs Arteta and doubts the Spaniard’s squad want to see him change
Yet while Arteta irritated some pundits with his antics on the touchline against Newcastle, Deeney feels the Arsenal coach will not change his approach. The former Watford captain also doubts the Gunners squad will want to see their head coach change his habits, either.
“After Mikel Arteta threw a wobbler on the touchline the other night, I’ve heard a few people urging the Arsenal boss to keep calm,” Deeney wrote in his column for The Sun.
“They reckon that it’s important not to lose your head, especially in a title race, and that Arteta’s antics might have a negative effect on his team. But I disagree with that and I think his players will, too.”
Deeney added: “The way managers act and what they say during matches really can have an effect on the outcome of a game. Arteta will not be calming down on the touchline any time soon and his players won’t want him to.”
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