Arsenal news: Pundit savages ‘unprofessional’ Mikel Arteta after ‘scandalous’ new controversy
Noel Whelan has slammed Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta for his “scruffy and unprofessional” touchline antics during the 0-0 draw against Newcastle on Tuesday (3 January).
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the 40-year-old “looked like a six-year-old boy having a tantrum”.
As seen in footage from the Sky Sports Premier League Twitter account (3 January), Arteta wildly gesticulated and confronted the fourth official after Arsenal saw two second-half penalty appeals waved away.
Speaking post-match and quoted by Sky Sports, the Spaniard slammed the “scandalous” decisions by referee Andy Madley.
Arteta has been roundly criticised by fans and pundits alike for his antics.
Arsenal missed their chance to pull out a ten-point lead over Man City atop the Premier League by beating Newcastle.
The Gunners face Oxford United in the FA Cup on Monday (9 January) before a derby clash with Tottenham next weekend.
Whelan told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “I love passion from managers, but there is a line which shouldn’t be crossed.
“I don’t like what I saw from Arteta. I’m all for sticking up for your players – but it was unprofessional, and he’s taken it too far.
“He looked like a six-year-old schoolboy having a tantrum. It doesn’t look good on him; it doesn’t look good on the cameras.
“He looked scruffy and unprofessional, screaming, shouting, and waving his arms around. I wouldn’t want to see that if I were an Arsenal player.”
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