Antonio Conte fires back at Mikel Arteta for comments after Tottenham 3-0 Arsenal
Mikel Arteta was furious with the officials after Arsenal’s heavy defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in their crucial Premier League clash on Thursday evening.
Tottenham were given a 22nd minute penalty and, 11 minutes later, Arsenal were reduced to 10 men when Rob Holding was sent off.
Arteta couldn’t hide his emotions in his post-match interview.
“If I say what I think I am suspended for six months,” Arteta told Sky Sports. “I don’t know how to lie so I prefer not to say what I think. I cannot say what I think.
“I want the referees to come in front of the camera and explain his decisions. It’s a shame because such a beautiful game was destroyed today.”
🗣 "If I say what I think I'll be suspended six months." 😡
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) May 12, 2022
Mikel Arteta refuses to give his opinion on the game after Arsenal's 3-0 defeat and asks the referee to speak to the cameras pic.twitter.com/5dlJm5XTiC
Antonio Conte was asked about Arteta’s comments in his post-match interview.
And the Italian couldn’t help hitting out at the Spaniard for complaining ‘all the time’.
🗣 "I listened to him complain a lot, he has to be focused more on his team and not to complain."
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) May 12, 2022
Antonio Conte gives advice to Mikel Arteta to be more calm after a defeat and not blame the referees pic.twitter.com/yygKlues5C
“He complains a lot. I think he has to focus more on his team. He has to focus more on his work.
“He has to continue to work because he’s very good. To hear someone complain all the time is not good. The red card for me was clear.
“Don’t forget, against Liverpool do you hear me complain about Fabinho? If we want to complain, we have the possibility every game.
He added, per Yahoo Sport: “He can take my advice if he wants, but if not I don’t care.
“[Arteta] complained about the fixtures and that was after Arsenal had an unbelievable postponement with just one COVID case. Now we’re playing at 12pm on Sunday and they don’t play until Monday. We can’t always complain.
Tottenham vs Arsenal Match Reaction | The Football Terrace
“[Arteta] is a very good coach and I think can become a very important coach for the future, but in six months I have heard him complain a lot.”
The two sides are now just separated by one point with two games to go. Arsenal have a slight advantage in the race for the fourth and final Champions League spot but Tottenham will be looking to push them all the way.
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