Emery's handshake history raises double standard question for Arteta
Unai Emery stormed down the touchline and into the dressing room before full time had even been confirmed as Aston Villa threw away a two goal lead in stoppage time at Old Trafford, with Manchester United scoring twice in the 92nd and 96th minutes to complete the turnaround. It was the latest chapter in a pattern of post-match conduct that stretches back years, and one that has left Arsenal fans asking an uncomfortable question about how Mikel Arteta is perceived by comparison.
As football.london detail, Emery has a long record of leaving matches without the customary post-match handshake. In February this year, he failed to shake hands with then Wolves manager Rob Edwards after a 2-0 defeat, explaining simply that the match was finished. Edwards responded with a wry dig: “Not yet, I get it. The two games we won, both managers had disappeared. They probably think they can turn up and win given how the season has gone! I've got a lot of respect for Unai; I think he's brilliant, so it's fine.”
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The pattern extends to a 2023 draw with Gary O'Neil's Wolves, where Emery again left without shaking hands, saying: “I was waiting to tell him ‘congratulations’ and I gave my hand, and he was speaking with the assistant referee. I left, simply.” O'Neil was accommodating, noting his conversation with the fourth official lasted only eight seconds and that he had no issue with Emery's behaviour.
The Arteta connection
Perhaps most notable for Arsenal supporters is the December 2025 meeting between Emery's Villa and Arteta's Arsenal, which Arsenal won 4-1. Emery failed to shake hands with his former club's manager, later explaining: “After the match, always my routine is quick, shake hands and go with my coaches, with my players, or go to the dressing room. And I was waiting, and waiting. Of course, he was happy, and he was with his coaches, and I decided to go inside. But for me, it's not a problem.” Footage shared on social media appeared to show Emery walking straight down the tunnel without waiting at all.
The irony is sharpened by a 2025 report from BBC Sport, which sent reporters to all ten top flight matches on the weekend of April 5 and found Emery spent 63% of the game outside his technical area, the second highest figure of that weekend. Arteta ranked fourth, with a considerably lower 40%.
A question of perception
Arteta has faced persistent scrutiny over his touchline conduct and his reactions to refereeing decisions in recent seasons. Emery's long running history of similar or arguably more pointed behaviour, including walking away from the technical area more often than Arteta himself, has rarely generated the same level of criticism.
Whether that reflects a genuine difference in conduct or simply a difference in how each manager is covered remains an open debate among Arsenal supporters and beyond.
