MIKELA ARTETA was lucky to get away without a booking after mocking referee Simon Hooper during Arsenal’s win over Aston Villa.
With the score level at 2-2 late on, the tension rose at Villa Park.
After Hooper ordered an Arsenal free-kick to be retaken, as the ball had been moving when the Gunners’ initially tried to continue the game, Arteta once again went ballistic.
As he berated the officials, he mocked Hooper with a crude impression.
Hooper, 40, had waved his hands to signal that the ball had still been in motion, as is customary.
After screaming in anger, Arteta pulled a silly face as he mimicked the hand gesture.
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Many Arsenal fans online enjoyed their manager’s latest rant.
One wrote: “Lmao that’s hilarious.”
While a second commented: “I mean it’s a cracking good impression, no complaints.”
Another added: “Was literally dying laughing at this.”
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Others, however, expect Arteta to be retroactively punished, with one writing: “Another fine incoming.”
A second observed: “And that’s a two weeks suspension for you, Arteta.”
The Gunners manager’s discipline came under the microscope after he was booked against Manchester United last month.
He had already been hammered by Match of the Day pundit Alan Shearer for his histrionics – but vowed not to tone it down, despite Arsenal being charged with failing to control their players on multiple occasions this term.
Arteta said: “I haven’t read the criticism of my behaviour and I am not part of that debate.
“They can all have their opinions but I will always try to do my best for this football club, to defend my players.
“And I will always have the passion that I believe the game has to be played with. But that’s me. That’s the way I am, on and off the pitch, for the good and the bad.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
