Arteta reveals he's 'clipping' rival managers who leave technical area
Mikel Arteta has revealed he is compiling video footage of rival Premier League managers repeatedly stepping out of their technical areas, joking that he might need to install sensors on the touchline after picking up his second yellow card of the season.
The Arsenal boss was booked by referee Tony Harrington in the second half of Arsenal's 2-0 win over Everton at the Emirates Stadium, leaving him one yellow card away from a one match touchline ban. Arteta believes other top flight managers are committing the same infraction far more often without punishment.
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"I do have to be careful, yeah," Arteta said, as quoted by Sky Sports. "I'm going to put sensors there! There are other managers doing it, there are managers that have the record in the league: 36 times in 10 minutes they leave the touchline, no yellows. So I am clipping all of that so I have a massive storage of images, so if somebody comes to me I can say I'm not in the record yet, somebody else has the record."
Arsenal move level with Man City
The win moved Arsenal level on points with Premier League leaders Manchester City. Ezri Konsa opened the scoring in the seventh minute, converting from close range after a Martin Odegaard corner, the first time Arsenal have scored from a set piece this season. Gabriel sealed the victory with a 68th minute header, having recovered from an injury scare moments earlier that left him requiring treatment on the pitch.
Arteta pointed to Gabriel's reaction as a reflection of the squad's character. "The mentality of the team is the mentality of the individuals in the team," he said. "Gabi's a great example of that, because we were all scared, not because of the way he went down, but the reaction of the players that were next to him. Immediately he says he wants to continue and then he scores a goal to help us win the game. That's what we need from our players."
Calafiori issue and praise for Konsa
Arteta also confirmed that substitute Riccardo Calafiori picked up a "slight" issue during the match, though he offered no further detail on the severity or whether it would affect his availability for Arsenal's next fixture.
The Arsenal boss had further praise for Konsa, who has settled quickly since his summer move from Aston Villa. "He's come to a huge club like Arsenal with no pre season when Saliba is here, with other players that are already here," Arteta said. "And to position yourself in that manner, with that naturality and performing at the level that he's doing and building already a chemistry and a balance with Gabi that seems so solid, it's very, very difficult to do and we are really lucky to have him."
Everton boss David Moyes, whose side suffered a second straight defeat following last weekend's loss to Chelsea, said his team conceded early and were left chasing the game throughout.
Arteta will be mindful of picking up a third caution this season as Arsenal continue to push City at the top of the table.
