04 January 2023 , 10:52
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Richard Keys argued "something must be done" after Mikel Arteta's antics during Arsenal's Premier League game against Newcastle United.
The Gunners had two penalty appeals turned down in their goalless draw against Eddie Howe's side. The first came when Gabriel went down in the box under a challenge from Dan Burn, and the other came deep into second half stoppage time after the ball struck the arm of Newcastle substitute Jacob Murphy.
Arteta was visibly frustrated by the decisions, showing his annoyance on the pitch before making further comments in his post-game press conference. Keys questioned the behaviour of the Spaniard immediately after the game, and revisited his argument on Wednesday.
"Seriously - when is someone going to get control of Mikel Arteta?" Keys asked on Twitter. "He’s an embarrassment. Totally out of control during games."
The broadcaster revisited the argument hours later while discussing other matters. "His pitchside behaviour is the scandal - nothing else," he said.
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It is far from the first time Keys has taken aim at Arteta. He slammed "embarrassing" celebrations from Arsenal and their manager after an August victory over Fulham, before being angered by the manager leaving his technical area when the Gunners beat Chelsea in November.
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Arsenal's players surrounded referee Andy Madley after a late penalty appeal (Ian Walton/AP/REX/Shutterstock)
“[I am] Extremely proud of my players," Arteta told Sky Sports after the game. "The way we played the game, the way we controlled the game and we missed in the final third. We had so many situations to finish them better and then we had two scandalous penalties.
“It is not about which one was stronger, we had two penalties," he added when quizzed on the decisions. "I am not talking about the referee, I am talking about what I saw and that was two scandalous penalties."
Howe was also asked about the second appeal, which came deep into stoppage time after sustained pressure from the hosts. "Well obviously at that stage of the game you’re thinking please no, the lads have given so much to the game," he said.
"That would have been a travesty for us. I didn’t think it was a penalty just because of the proximity but you just never know, but I’m delighted. With me and Mikel, it’s all fine."
Mikel Arteta made his position clear after the match (Getty Images)Former Newcastle striker Alan Shearer, meanwhile, wasn't pleased with what he saw from the Arsenal manager. Speaking to Premier League Productions, the pundit made his feelings clear.
"I think he’s disrespectful to the opposition and he’s making it very difficult for the referees, who have a hard enough job as it is," Shearer said. I get he wants to be animated but if his players behaved like him, he wouldn’t like it and it would cost him. He needs to calm down.
"I get they’re top of the league and it’s a big game, but he’s making it very, very difficult for referees and he’s disrespecting the opposition. They know they’re under pressure but when you see your manager behave like that on the touchline..."
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