October 27th 2023.
Mikel Arteta, Arsenal's boss, has often been criticised for his exuberance in the dugout. The 41-year-old Spaniard is a very animated presence during games and has been accused of arguing and berating officials. Even in the Community Shield at the start of the season, he was booked just a few minutes into the game.
Arteta has since then picked up two more bookings in the Premier League, against Fulham and Chelsea. If he receives one more, he will be suspended. The Premier League is trying to reduce the amount of remonstrating with officials, and Arteta is still adapting to the new rules.
Speaking ahead of playing Sheffield United on Saturday, he said, “I think I am changing. If you think differently, let me know. But I have made a conscious effort. Basically I don't want to get sent off.”
He further added, “Sometimes when I look at myself and I'm so agitated I think it can sometimes give an image that is not the best, mainly for the club. I'm there to be on it and make sure that we are the best we can be and the most competitive we possibly can be. That's the drive, nothing else.”
Arteta is one yellow away from serving a touchline ban, and he has pointed out the unfairness of managers being punished more severely than players. He said, “We are always “playing” as managers, so I don't know why we get three yellows and the players can have five. We are there every minute of every game. Some players are on the bench, sometimes they are injured, but we are always there and we can only have three yellows. It's not fair, no?”
Mikel Arteta is making a conscious effort to improve his behaviour on the touchline and is trying to adapt to the new rules. He understands the need to tone down his emotions but is trying to do it in a way that still allows him to defend his players and club. Arteta's intensity is both a blessing and a curse, and it will be interesting to see how he balances it in the future.
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