Criticism of Arsenal Mikel Arteta went too far following the Gunners’ Champions League win over Atletico Madrid as ESPNFC received a backlash for their comments
An ESPNFC host sparked outrage by asking if opposition coaches wanted to “punch” Mikel Arteta in the face, following Arsenal’s Champions League win over Atletico Madrid. The Gunners reached the competition’s final after Bukayo Saka scored the pivotal goal to unleash jubilant scenes at the Emirates.
There were a number of combustible moments on the sidelines during Arsenal’s victory, with both Arteta and Diego Simeone stretching the limits of the coach’s technical area. Both Simeone and Arteta were booked by referee Daniel Siebert as tensions ramped up late in the game.
But it was Arteta who came under the spotlight following the game, with ESPNFC’s Dan Thomas ruffling feathers during post-match analysis in the United States. Thomas, with a panel including Craig Burley, Jurgen Klinsmann and former Arsenal midfielder Stewart Robson, began his questioning with laughter.
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“At what stage, as the opposition coach, do you want to punch Arteta in the face? How much does that annoy you?” Thomas posited.
Burley interjected: “Hold on, the two of them are as bad as each other.” But Thomas replied: “I thought, today, Arteta out-Simeoned, Simeone. The way he was running around at the end. It’s got to be frustrating, hasn’t it, as an opposition coach?”
Robson appeared to agree and took a critical view. “What is a coach on the side of the pitch supposed to do? He’s meant to coach the game, he’s meant to give instructions,” he said.
“All Arteta does, I think he’s doing it for himself: ‘Look at me, I’m great, I run this club, I do this, I do that… It’s just absolutely pathetic.” Robson then claimed that he would have deliberately gone after Arteta if he was on the pitch, adding: “If I was running down the side, I’d make sure I actually topped him. I’d tackle the ball and tackle him at the same time.”
Those involved faced severe criticism from fans on social media. They questioned the professionalism of those suggesting violence could be a reasonable course of action.
“It’s never acceptable to have a professional pundit on the biggest sports network in the world talk about wanting to violently assault a manager,” said one fan. “Disgraceful.”
Another added: “Very strange, also advertising violence against an individual, they should be fined by the standards agency.”
“Unacceptable,” said a further social media user. “Talking about punching Arteta in the face and knocking him out. Gone too far.”
“Your host and guest are calling for violence against a team manager. This is extremely dangerous,” suggested another person. “Inciting violence as a broadcaster is the complete opposite of doing your job,” claimed one figure.
“ESPN now openly talking about how much they love to assault people,” complained one viewer. “Well that’s exactly the kind of professional, unbiased analysis that will get you sacked,” claimed another.
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