Managers have ‘huge duty’ to behave well, says Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta

LONDON – Mikel Arteta has conceded that managers have a “huge duty” to behave properly after the Arsenal boss escaped punishment for his Newcastle United rant.

He was charged by the Football Association when he claimed a VAR (video assistant referee) decision to award Anthony Gordon’s goal in a 1-0 defeat by the Magpies in November was a “disgrace”.

It was announced on Dec 14 he had escaped a fine or a touchline ban after an independent disciplinary panel ruled that a charge of misconduct was “not proven”.

The Spaniard has never been shy of displaying his emotions on the touchline, with his passionate protests irking some rival managers and fans.

He was suspended for last weekend’s 1-0 loss at Aston Villa after picking up three yellow cards for his antics this season. Back on the bench for the visit of Brighton & Hove Albion on Dec 17, Arteta acknowledged that it is important to set a good example.

“We have a huge duty. It’s part of our role to conduct ourselves in the best way and represent the game, the league and our clubs in the best possible way,” he said.

“This is what we try to do every day, sometimes better, sometimes worse, but it’s our intention.”

With Arsenal in the thick of the title race, Arteta is likely to face more flashpoints involving crucial decisions.

But he said he was impressed with the way the panel listened to his point of view, especially about the stress managers are under.

“I felt a lot of sympathy to be fair as I explained the pressure we feel as managers and how important details are for our job,” he said.

“When the outcome is that important we get really emotional about it. It was done. I defended my opinion. I expressed my opinion.”

Calling for managers and officials to work together for the good of the game, Arteta added: “I’m fully supportive of how we have to improve the game. Refs are a big part of that and they know that.

“Managers are a big part of that too. We have the duty to do that. It’s good to discuss things in an open and honest way. This is what I tried to do.”

Arsenal are a point behind leaders Liverpool and ahead of Brighton’s visit, Arteta is looking for his team to bounce back from the loss to Villa.

He urged his players to be "very efficient" against Roberto de Zerbi's side, who won 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium last season and effectively derailed Arsenal's title charge.

“We will try to do our best, we love winning and the team will do anything they can to win games. We will try our best against Brighton, a team that will try to make life very difficult for us, for sure,” Arteta added.

“They are a really good side. They have really good players and their way of playing is very specific and causes you problems. They were very efficient. Efficiency in football is key and on that day (the 3-0 defeat), they were more efficient than us.”

Arsenal will be missing the injured Fabio Vieira, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Thomas Partey, Jurrien Timber and Mohamed Elneny for this clash.

Brighton, meanwhile, have Ansu Fati, Pervis Estupinan, Tariq Lamptey, Julio Enciso, Danny Welbeck and Solomon March all ruled out.

De Zerbi did not hold a pre-match press conference on Dec 15 following the Seagulls’ 1-0 Europa League win over Marseille the day before, but midfielder Billy Gilmour said he is looking forward to the Arsenal game.

“We’re all excited (making the last 16 of the Europa League) but of course we’ve got a massive game at the weekend as well and we want to take this level of performance into league games,” he said.

“On to Arsenal, go there and try to win.” AFP, REUTERS