Ex-Fifa official: Arteta escaped major punishment as Arsenal controversy missed by BBC cameras
Mikel Arteta should have been shown a yellow card for his touchline antics as Arsenal beat West Ham 2-0 on Wednesday (15 December), according to Keith Hackett.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League official claimed “referee’s are their own worst enemy” as they do not assert their authority on managers.
Arteta was extremely animated on the sidelines and left his technical area multiple times, although it was missed by the BBC’s cameras on Match of the Day.
Despite his repeated transgressions, the Spaniard avoided punishment from referee Anthony Taylor.
It is not the first time Arteta’s touchline behaviour has caused controversy.
Last month (20 November), the Gunners boss and Jurgen Klopp were involved in a spat during Arsenal’s 4-0 defeat to Liverpool.
The pair had to be pulled apart from each other as they clashed over a Sadio Mane challenge on Tomiyasu.
“Ideally, what the referee wants to concentrate on is what is taking place on the field and generally managers can contain their passion and anger,” Hackett told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“It leaves little option. I think here there was a case for Arteta to get a yellow card. I wouldn’t have given him a red.
“He’s committed the offence, he’s out of his technical area and he’s animated.
“Referees are their own worst enemy, just yellow card the guy.”
Arsenal’s 2-0 win was the first time they had recorded consecutive Premier League wins this season.
They have also won their last five home games in the league – their longest run under Arteta.
In other news, Arsenal have identified a ‘perfect signing’ to partner Thomas Partey after a Sky update.