‘It’s who I am’: Mikel Arteta refuses to back down after angry touchline spat with Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp last weekend as Arsenal boss admits the passion shown is part of his character
- Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was in a touchline spat with Jurgen Klopp last week
- The Spaniard reacted furiously to Sadio Mane’s challenge on Takehiro Tomiyasu
- Arteta was held back by his assistant Steve Round as he squared up to Klopp
- The Arsenal manager admits the touchline row is just part of his character
Mikel Arteta insists his furious row with Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is part of his character and the Arsenal manager refused to take back any of his antics.
During the first-half of the Gunners’ 4-0 loss at Anfield, the Spaniard reacted angrily to a challenge by Sadio Mane on Arsenal’s Takehiro Tomiyasu, with Arteta squaring up to opposite man Klopp – who complained about his reaction to the aerial tackle.
Both Arteta and Klopp had to be held back by their assistants as the two managers were both cautioned by referee Michael Oliver for their angry spat.
Mikel Arteta (right) has refused to back down after his spat with Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp (left)
Arteta squared up to Klopp after a challenge by Sadio Mane (right) on Takehiro Tomiyasu (left)
The incident happened when the score was goalless before Arteta’s side went on to concede four times in Arsenal’s first league defeat since August, but the Gunners manager admitted that the row with Klopp is just ‘who I am’.
When asked if his players like it when he shows passion on the touchline, Arteta said: ‘I don’t know (if players like it when I fight on the touchline). It’s who I am. I will react.
‘If I have to defend my players I will do it. Maybe you don’t give me motivations to go the other way. It’s part of our character.’
The disappointing result at Anfield is another big game encounter in which Arsenal have lost, with the Gunners also losing to Chelsea and Manchester City this season without scoring a goal.
Arteta was livid with Klopp for the challenge and had to be held back by his assistants
The Spaniard was cautioned for the spat along with German boss Klopp before Arsenal lost 4-0
Arteta revealed that his players instigated a heart-to-heart in the Anfield dressing room after the loss, with the manager admitting his delight about how his team have reacted to the defeat.
‘I liked the reaction in the dressing room at Anfield at the end of the game,’ Arteta added. ‘They (the players) discussed what happened in a really honest way.
‘There are issues you have to deal with. I really liked how the team reacted in the week. Before this didn’t happen.
Arteta (second right) revealed he and his Arsenal players had a heart-to-heart after the defeat
‘There are lots you can learn, standards have to be raised. You see how consistent they (Liverpool) do it throughout the game.’
The Gunners will look to get back to winning ways against bottom club Newcastle this weekend, with their loss to Liverpool leaving them in fifth after Manchester United also lost last weekend.
Arsenal cannot move into the top four with victory over Eddie Howe’s Magpies but they can move level on points with West Ham if they win, with the Hammers taking on champions Manchester City on Sunday.
