Mikel Arteta facing extended ban as Arsenal footage analysed, pundit ‘can’t believe’ what he saw
Mikel Arteta should be banned by the FA for his touchline antics as Arsenal drew with Newcastle on Tuesday (3 January).
That’s according to former Hibernian striker Tam McManus, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about what he saw from the Gunners manager.
Arteta was furious that his side were not awarded two penalties against Newcastle, calling the decisions “scandalous”, as quoted by Sky Sports after the game.
Dan Burn wrestled Gabriel to the floor during a set piece in the first half while Jacob Murphy looked to have handled in the box during the dying moments of the game.
The late incident saw Arteta run down the touchline towards the fourth official, shouting and waving his arms in disbelief that a spot kick was not awarded.
McManus expects Arteta to face a ban for his actions.
“I think the first one, Dan Burn’s challenge, maybe,” McManus told Football Insider‘s Ben Wild.
“The second one, the handball, no. It’s hit his hand but his hand is down by his side and he’s diving in. That’s not a penalty.
“If you give penalties for that then you will see opposition players in the box trying to kick the ball off the defender’s hands.
“I don’t think the second is. It’s certainly not scandalous. He’s obviously upset about not winning the game and frustrated about not breaking down a very strong Newcastle defence.
“You can’t get away with the way Arteta behaved at the end, I can’t believe he didn’t get sent off. I think he will be banned retrospectively or at least spoken to.
“This isn’t the first time this has happened and it can’t keep going on. It’s not a good look for him.
“Look at the way he is in the fourth official’s face, it’s not on.”
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