Ex-FIFA ref issues warning to Mikel Arteta after Pedro Porro touchline clash
Mikel Arteta put himself at risk of punishment after clashing with Pedro Porro during Tottenham’s win over Arsenal in Hong Kong.
While it was only a friendly fixture during both clubs’ pre-season tour of Asia, there was very little that was friendly about it as Thomas Frank‘s side grabbed a narrow 1-0 victory over their rivals on Thursday, 31 July.
Pape Sarr netted an outrageous goal from the halfway line, with Myles Lewis-Skelly having been dispossessed by Richarlison, allowing the Senegalese international to lob David Raya from range.
The spotlight was also on Richarlison as “brutal” footage emerged during the first 45 minutes, stepping in for the injured Dominic Solanke, forming the attack with Wilson Odobert and Mohammed Kudus.
Mikel Arteta avoids punishment in North London friendly
Rodrigo Bentancur, Mikel Merino, and Brennan Johnson all went into referee Lau Fong Hei’s notebook, and he could have written further names down after an altercation on the sidelines.
As Pedro Porro, previously linked with Man City, lined up to take a throw-in, the Gunners’ boss was unhappy with his progression up the touchline, stepping out of his technical area to take action.
Of course, the player pushed Arteta away, given that he was standing in the way, and the fourth official was forced to separate the two before getting play underway once again.
Arsenal boss issued warning against Tottenham
This article contains exclusive comments from ex-FIFA official and former professional referee Keith Hackett.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former referee said: “The referee should have intervened and spoken to the manager and the player, warning the manager to stay within the technical area.
“The player should be advised to keep his hands to himself. Any further incident of this nature would result in the application of a yellow card sanction.”
Arteta has already been warned over Martin Zubimendi’s transition to the Premier League, but the Spaniard dealt well with his second appearance in Arsenal colours at the Kai Tak Sports Park.
After clashes with Newcastle United and Tottenham, the Gunners will now face Villarreal and Athletic Club before returning to the Emirates Stadium for the Premier League kick-off.