'Worst offender' - Ex-PGMOL chief lashes out at Pro Ref 'failure' over new Mikel Arteta footage

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is the "worst offender" for leaving his technical area, but very little continues to be done about it.

That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that Pro Ref must seriously address the outrage over the Gunners boss.

Arteta is never one to back away from a challenge, and he would even be on the pitch with his players if he was allowed to be.

Instead, new footage on social media has caused a stir, with the Spaniard seen way out of his technical area during Arsenal's win over Chelsea on Sunday, 6 September.

The 44-year-old can even be seen blocking the fourth official, who is preparing a substitution for the home side at the Emirates Stadium.

Although this is hardly a rarity in the Premier League, Arteta is seen as a serial offender, one who needs to be sanctioned far more often than he is.

Lack of punishment for Mikel Arteta shows a 'constant failure'

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Hackett said: "Every manager clearly needs to manage his team the way he wishes to.

"The animated actions of Arteta follow other managers that follow a similar pattern of operating outside the technical area.

"Arteta is the worst offender for spending most of the game inches from the touchline, at least one metre outside the front of the technical area.

"He sometimes runs down the line in front of his opponent's technical area. There is a constant failure of fourth officials to apply the law by getting the referee across and recommending a yellow card.

"Is it because the fourth official could well be refereeing them in the coming weeks and is attempting to avoid any conflict?

"Do your job, match officials! Sort this. Get Arteta to operate within the confines of the technical area."

Premier League fans in agreement over Arsenal boss

Hackett certainly appears to echo football fans throughout the Premier League, with Pro Ref receiving direct messages about the footage.

While one fan has labelled it as "cheating" that continues to go unpunished, another has called out the "disgraceful behaviour" from Arteta.