MIKEL ARTETA appeared to subtly take aim at Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou during a press conference on Tuesday.
The Arsenal boss came under scrutiny at the weekend after berating VAR and officiating in the Premier League.
Following his team’s 1-0 defeat to Newcastle, Arteta told Sky Sports: “I have praised my players for the performance and the way that we played – we didn’t deserve to lose the match.
“We lost the match because of the clear and obvious decisions. It’s embarrassing. It’s a disgrace. That’s what it is, a disgrace.”
Unsurprisingly, Arteta was asked about his behaviour ahead of Arsenal’s upcoming Champions League match against Sevilla.
One reporter questioned him about his touchline antics, but the Spaniard quickly responded with an interesting remark.
He said: “Your colleague has mentioned how emotional I was after the game, and how I acted on the touchline.
“I didn’t get a yellow, I didn’t get a warning from the referee, so I stayed focused on the game, trying to affect the game in the best possible way for my players, that’s it.”
Many fans are convinced that Arteta took aim at Postecoglou when responding to the question.
The Tottenham boss received a yellow card during Monday’s 4-1 defeat to Chelsea.
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He then went on to discuss the treatment of referees after the match.
Postecoglou said: “At some point we have to accept the referee’s decision, that’s how I grew up…
“This constant erosion of referee’s authority is where the game is going to get: they’re not going to have any authority.
“We are going to be in the control of somebody a few miles away watching on a TV screen.
“The decision is the decision, you either accept it or you don’t… Trust me in 26 years I’ve had plenty of bad ones, I’ve had plenty that have fallen in my favor, it is what it is.”
Some fans praised the 58-year-old while others claimed that his comments were hypocritical.
Arsenal fans took to X to react to Arteta’s subtle dig at his rival, with one person commenting: “Peak Premier league is coming back. Managers going at each other. You live to see it .”
Another added: “Managers sending shots at each other, Barclays is back ladies and gentlemen!”
A third fan wrote: “In Mikel we trust. This guy has rattled the entire Prem. Elite manager.”
While a fourth joked: “Classic response from Mikel .”
Arteta is expected to avoid punishment for his scathing comments about VAR and officiating.
