25 January 2023 , 15:42
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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has admitted he is trying to improve every aspect of his management following criticism over his touchline antics during their 3-2 win over Manchester United.
The Spaniard has come under fire in recent weeks over his pitch-side behaviour and received a yellow card in the Gunners' success on Sunday for appealing too vociferously about a foul from Luke Shaw on Bukayo Saka. Arteta was also criticised for his animosity on the touchline after the Gunners' goalless draw against Newcastle earlier this month.
He was furious after the referee failed to award Arsenal a penalty and was also upset about the amount of time added on. It is becoming a common theme for Arteta to deal with and he responded to yet further condemnation of his antics on Wednesday ahead of Arsenal's trip to Manchester City.
The Gunners face Pep Guardiola's side in the FA Cup this weekend - the first of three matches against City in a matter of months. He said in his pre-match press conference: "I focus on things I can do better, I try and let the referees take the game and be in charge of that. I look myself in the mirror sometimes and try to find the right balance.
"I love the game, I like to win as much as everyone else. That's the way I live the game. If there is something you can better, you should try."
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Mikel Arteta has been criticised for his touchline antics (Getty Images)Roy Keane gave his verdict on Arteta's behaviour after Arsenal's win over United and disagreed with the criticism fired at the 40-year-old. The former United ace believes that the Arsenal hierarchy won't be worried about their manager's behaviour if he is getting the results on the pitch.
Keane told Sky Sports: "Well I certainly wouldn't worry about yellow cards, it's the reds that you’ve got to worry about! But from the Arsenal point of view I think they'd be OK with it, because he’s obviously passionate and you're not in this job to be liked! He's there to win football matches for Arsenal and that’s what he’s doing.
"Listen, he's got the yellow card, he has to take his medicine, but I generally have no problem with it. We see other managers doing stuff that we might not always agree with but they're emotional, they’re passionate and I think that's just because he wants to win. I wouldn’t be too harsh on him."
Arsenal restored their five-point gap at the top of the Premier League table as an Eddie Nketiah brace and Saka's terrific strike earned a comeback win over the Red Devils. Arteta's men also boast a game in hand over nearest rivals Man City.