Mikel Arteta claimed he was waiving to Gabriel Martinelli and not the referee as he was shown a yellow card in Arsenal's triumph over Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday, December 17.
The Spaniard picked up his fourth yellow card as Arsenal manager in the 2023/24 Premier League campaign on Sunday afternoon against the Seagulls.
The Gunners head coach has made headlines consistently throughout the season for his dealing with match officials and comments after matches, most notably calling the performance of referees in his side's 1-0 setback to Newcastle United a 'disgrace' and ‘embarrassing‘.
Arteta also needed assistance from a criminal defense lawyer to clear his name in a drawn-out case with the FA over his rant about officiating.
The Spanish International received his fourth booking of the season after responding to a foul from Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma on Bukayo Saka.
The Japan international was cautioned by referee Tim Robinson but Arteta's harsh reaction also saw him go into the book.
Mikel Arteta does not seem to be learning his lesson, with another yellow card picked up against Brighton.
The Spaniard took issue with a challenge from Kaoru Mitoma on Bukayo Saka, as he was seen waving his arms and jumping around in the manager area, leading to Tim Robinson flashing a yellow card in his direction.
Speaking after the game, Arteta said; "I was waving to Martinelli".
The Arteta smiled at the end of his comments probably indicating that he was making a joke out of his actions.
The 41-year-old is joint-second as Arsenal's most booked member alongside Gabriel Jesus, with only Kai Havertz and Ben White having been shown more yellow cards (5).
The Arsenal head coach's most recent yellow card was for unreasonable celebration after Declan Rice struck late at Kenilworth Road to secure a 4-3 win over Luton Town earlier this month. It resulted in Arteta being suspended from being on the touchline during the 1-0 loss to Aston Villa.
Four more bookings throughout the season will result in a two-match touchline suspension for Arteta, who will hope not to get anywhere near the 16 yellow cards that would result in an FA misconduct hearing.
Arteta has already beaten an FA charge for alleged misconduct. His comments after Arsenal's defeat to Newcastle United were dismissed by an independent commission.
What's next for Mikel Arteta and Arsenal?
The Spaniard will shift his attention to the Gunners' next Premier League showdown with Jurgen Klopp Liverpool on Saturday, December 23, a match that will be taken in with just one point separating the two teams at the top of the table.
The Spaniard picked up his fourth yellow card as Arsenal manager in the 2023/24 Premier League campaign on Sunday afternoon against the Seagulls.
The Gunners head coach has made headlines consistently throughout the season for his dealing with match officials and comments after matches, most notably calling the performance of referees in his side's 1-0 setback to Newcastle United a 'disgrace' and ‘embarrassing‘.
Arteta also needed assistance from a criminal defense lawyer to clear his name in a drawn-out case with the FA over his rant about officiating.
The Spanish International received his fourth booking of the season after responding to a foul from Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma on Bukayo Saka.
The Japan international was cautioned by referee Tim Robinson but Arteta's harsh reaction also saw him go into the book.
Mikel Arteta does not seem to be learning his lesson, with another yellow card picked up against Brighton.
The Spaniard took issue with a challenge from Kaoru Mitoma on Bukayo Saka, as he was seen waving his arms and jumping around in the manager area, leading to Tim Robinson flashing a yellow card in his direction.
Speaking after the game, Arteta said; "I was waving to Martinelli".
The Arteta smiled at the end of his comments probably indicating that he was making a joke out of his actions.
The 41-year-old is joint-second as Arsenal's most booked member alongside Gabriel Jesus, with only Kai Havertz and Ben White having been shown more yellow cards (5).
The Arsenal head coach's most recent yellow card was for unreasonable celebration after Declan Rice struck late at Kenilworth Road to secure a 4-3 win over Luton Town earlier this month. It resulted in Arteta being suspended from being on the touchline during the 1-0 loss to Aston Villa.
Four more bookings throughout the season will result in a two-match touchline suspension for Arteta, who will hope not to get anywhere near the 16 yellow cards that would result in an FA misconduct hearing.
Arteta has already beaten an FA charge for alleged misconduct. His comments after Arsenal's defeat to Newcastle United were dismissed by an independent commission.
What's next for Mikel Arteta and Arsenal?
The Spaniard will shift his attention to the Gunners' next Premier League showdown with Jurgen Klopp Liverpool on Saturday, December 23, a match that will be taken in with just one point separating the two teams at the top of the table.