Gary Neville laid into Mikel Arteta for his touchline antics during Manchester United’s clash against Arsenal.
Arteta has developed something of a reputation for his actions on the sidelines this season, memorably exploding into a fit of rage against Newcastle earlier this month. It has attracted the attention of football fans on social media, former Sky Sports host Richard Keys – and now Neville as well.
Neville slammed Arteta after he exited his area to complain to referee Anthony Taylor that Bukayo Saka had been fouled four times without an opponent receiving a booking.
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The Spanish boss duly received a yellow card of his own from Taylor, plus a dressing down of his own from Neville. “I think he’s right there Anthony Taylor. He’s been singled out over the last few weeks, Mikel Arteta, but I have to say it was just a basic foul, there was nothing in it.
“Shaw’s just trying to get in front of him, Saka does well, but he charges back up the touchline like a madman, Mikel Arteta, just watch him. There’s nothing in it, it’s a foul, move on with the game.
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(Image: Sky Sports)
“He makes it look like he’s two-footed him. I was here a couple of weeks ago for the Newcastle game and he was at it all game, Mikel Arteta, which is fair enough, but on occasions where it wasn’t called for. He charged about 15 yards down the touchline and that was what he was shown a yellow card for.”
However, replays showed that Neville barely left his technical area, with Arsenal fans on social media accusing the former United man of bias.
One person wrote: “‘Rushing like a madman’ he was literally hopping on the f***ing touchline.” Another said: “Neville you know what you’re doing calling Arteta a madman… don’t push your narrative you rag.”
A third user added: “The media are absolutely desperate to build this image of Arteta as some crazed madman aren’t they.” While a fourth fan wrote: “Gary Neville’s bias commentary is absolutely appalling, calling Arteta a ‘madman’ saying Ramsdale is ‘theatrical’ but mentions nothing of Anthony diving, everyone is sick of it.”
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