Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was lucky to get away without a booking after teasing English referee Simon Hooper in the game involving Arsenal and Aston Villa.
Late on in the game at the Villa Park as the encounter looked like it was heading for a draw with both sides on parity at 2-2, the suspense became hotter.
Simon Hooper instructed for an Arsenal free-kick to be retaken, as the ball had not been static when Arsenal initially attempted to continue the match, Mikel Arteta teased Simon Hooper as he castigated the match officials on duty.
Mikel Arteta poked fun at Simon Hooper with a cheeky imitation of the Englishman.
The center referee had raised his hands to indicate that the ball was still active rather than static as it should be.
The Spaniard raised his voice in anger before pulling a silly face as he made fun of the hand gesture of Simon Hooper.
Many Arsenal fans enjoyed the way their manager had mimicked the center refree while others reprimanded Arteta and felt that he should be punished.
Mikel Arteta’s indiscipline came under scrutiny following the booking he got against Manchester United in January.
He had already been criticised by BBC Match of the Day pundit Alan Shearer for his attitude but he has remained adamant on not changing his behavior.
Arsenal have been charged for their failure in controlling their players several times this season but they haven’t deviated from that path.
Mikel Arteta speaking in a presser on his attitude said:
“I haven’t read the criticism of my behaviour and I am not part of that debate.
“They can all have their opinions but I will always try to do my best for this football club, to defend my players.
“And I will always have the passion that I believe the game has to be played with. But that’s me. That’s the way I am, on and off the pitch, for the good and the bad.”
The Arsenal gaffer has in many times reacted in an ill-mannered towards officials.
Arteta has also been slightly involved in an action which resulted in the removal of a retired Premier League referee in charge of VAR from PGMOL due to his utterances in a presser.
Over the week, the news spread around like wide fire on how 51-year-old Lee Mason left PGMOL by mutual consent and he would no longer refree on-field or on VAR duties.
Arsenal have on many occasions this season acted in disdain towards match officials with Mikel Arteta vociferously displaying and sounding out his displeasure across games this term.
The team tutored by Mikel Arteta currently sit at the summit of the Premier League table two points ahead of Manchester City with a game in hand.
Pep Guardiola led Manchester City side dropped two (2) points on Saturday against the tricky trees Nottingham Forest.
