August 8th 2023.
Mikel Arteta was the centre of attention during Sunday's Community Shield match between Arsenal and Manchester City. The Spanish coach was incredibly animated on the touchline and was booked after just 18 minutes for berating the fourth official.
This behaviour has prompted the FA to introduce new rules this season to clamp down on bad behaviour from managers, with coaches now restricted to staying in their technical areas at all times and barred from confronting officials.
Gary Neville believes Arteta's conduct last season played a large part in the FA's decision. He said: "I spoke to a non-league coach and they had a briefing in pre-season about touchline behaviour and they said that Arteta was a big reason that it was brought in, because of last season's behaviour."
Jamie Carragher was astonished by how worked up Arteta was at Wembley, and feels he got a little carried away given the season proper has not even started yet. He said: "I love passion, we [Liverpool] have got Jurgen Klopp, you love it when he's involved and we all love to see our managers show that. But I just thought it was too much. Ten minutes into the Community Shield? I thought it was interesting watching the game how wound up Arteta was on the side of the pitch after about 10 minutes."
Carragher also believes that the increased expectations at Arsenal this season should be met. He said: "Last season they were seen as this young, up-and-coming team and most people probably felt City would do it towards the end of the season, the experience and things like that. Even when they fell away, most people thought, 'What a great season Arsenal have had'. But what Arsenal have done in the summer – it makes them better – but this idea that keeps getting put out there that they're a young Arsenal team and don't spend the money City do… Arsenal have now spent an unbelievable amount of money in the last two or three years. So I think we've got to come away from that. They should have a lot expected of them. Not that they should win the league, but they should be going for every trophy and, if they don't get over the line like last season, they should be criticised for that because I think we should expect a lot more from Arsenal this season."
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