MIKEL ARTETA had a night to forget as Arsenal lost at the San Siro – and even picked up a bizarre booking of his own.
The Gunners boss watched his side labour to a 1-0 Champions League defeat to Inter Milan on Wednesday.
Arteta cut a frustrated figure on the touchline as Arsenal wasted a host of chances.
The 42-year-old watched his side go down to an Inter penalty after Mikel Merino controversially handled in the box.
But it was Arteta’s use of his own hands that got him into hot water just after the hour mark.
Matteo Darmian was scrapping for the ball by the dugouts with Arsenal’s Ben White.
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The ball looked to be going out for a throw, with Arteta rushing out of his technical area to reach down and grab it.
But the spin of the ball appeared to keep it in play, with a fuming Darmian claiming he was impeded.
Arteta was immediately booked by Romanian referee Istvan Kovacs, as deafening whistles rained down from the Inter supporters.
It was not immediately clear if the Arsenal boss was cautioned for handball, or leaving his technical area to interfere with play.
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Uefa clarified the situation following the final whistle, confirming Arteta went in the book for a “lack of respect for the game” and picking up the ball.
Arteta immediately held his hands up in apology after the incident, with his intervention deemed accidental.
If the Arsenal chief had deliberately entered play and stopped the attack, he would have been red-carded.
One fan joked on X: “Using their dark arts again I see.”
While another laughed: “Yellow for leaving his technical area. Yellow for entering the pitch. Yellow for handling the ball. Should have been sent off.”
Following Wednesday’s game, Arteta launched into a furious rant against the officials.
Arsenal player ratings v Inter Milan
TOOTHLESS Arsenal were beaten by a superb Italian job in Milan as they lost 1-0 thanks to a controversial penalty.
Here’s how the Gunners stars were rated by SunSport’s Tony Robertson.
David Raya – 6
Unfortunate with the penalty on an otherwise quiet night. Passing was below par with on three out of nine long passes finding their mark.
Ben White – 7
Dependable as ever at right back. Can’t be blamed for the defeat from a defensive standpoint.
William Saliba – 7
Marshalled defence well and produced some strong passes. Three clearances and six duels won said everything about his performance.
Gabriel Magalhaes – 7
Had a slightly better time in duels than Saliba but was worse on the ball.
Jurrien Timber – 7
Had a good rapport with Martinelli down the left flank. Dependable but undone by the controversial penalty call.
Mikel Merino – 5
Difficult to see what he brings to the midfield at the moment. Clearly Arteta likes his height and strength, but not on the same wavelength as team-mates tonight. Unlucky to give away the penalty.
Thomas Partey – 6
Should have been given more licence to roam forward in the second half. But didn’t look like he had the legs to do that job.
Bukayo Saka – 6
Captain for the night with Odegaard only fit for the bench. Saka was always a threat, but all too often or not chose the wrong option to go inside or out.
Gabriel Martinelli – 7
Flashes of brilliance and a thorn throughout the clash. Created four chances but team-mates were unable to help him out.
Kai Havertz – 6
Couple of flashes of brilliance, including a beautiful curled effort at goal that forced Sommer to punch clear, but needed to be a stronger force up top. Went off with a bloody head in injury time.
Leandro Trossard – 6
Buzzed around and had threatening moments. But just didn’t get the ball enough in dangerous positions.
The Arsenal boss claimed the decision to give a penalty against Merino was “harsh.”
And he believed the Gunners should have had a spot kick of their own after Inter’s keeper Yann Sommer took out the Spaniard.
Arteta said: “We were very harshly done.
“I don’t understand [Inter’s penalty]. It is a deflection. There is no danger, no reaction because it is very close to his body.
“There is nothing he can do. I don’t know how you can get away from it.
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“We were told at the start of the season that was not going to be a penalty but it was a different story.
“But if that is a penalty then when Merino is punched in the head it is one thousand percent a penalty. It is very difficult to accept that.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
