11 November 2023 , 20:30
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Malcolm Macdonald has accused Mikel Arteta of “re-writing the Arsenal handbook of standards” following his touchline histrionics and attack on VAR.
The Gunners legend believes that instead of issuing a statement of support for their manager the Arsenal hierarchy should rein the Spaniard in and order him to calm down. Supermac watched Arsenal against another of his former clubs, Newcastle United, at St. James’ Park last Saturday night and was appalled by Arteta’s outburst following the Toon’s winning goal which came after three VAR checks.
And he has become increasingly perturbed by Arteta’s wayward behaviour in the technical area. He said: “I couldn’t believe it when instead of trying to calm him down at games the Arsenal hierarchy actually backed him with that statement, supporting him on the VAR issue.
“I was surprised because that is not the Arsenal I and many others have known over the years. Standards always came first before anything else at Arsenal even if it meant to the detriment of the club, that they might lose out on something. You had to maintain standards at all times.
“Arteta appears to be rewriting the Arsenal handbook and getting away with it. When Denis Hill Wood and his son who followed him, Peter Hill-Wood, were chairmen (between 1962 and 2013). It was very old school. The honour came before a win or a loss.
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“Sooner or later the authorities will take action over Arteta, I am sure of that. They can’t allow officials to be bullied by a particular manager or by a particular club, the sort of things we are seeing from Arsenal.”
Arteta has since doubled down on his Newcastle VAR blast which Macdonald believes won’t do him or Arsenal any favours in the future with match officials.
“Nobody else is as hysterical. I always thought being a manager myself if you go so overboard as Arteta is doing you make enemies of referees,” Macdonald added. “They meet up together regularly and after his actions it’s human nature to have the whole of the refereeing world against you.
“When there is an infinite decision to be made and Arteta is going mad and the officials are looking at him they will go against him. I believe his behaviour has been and will continue to be costly to Arsenal.
“I remember Sir Bobby Robson telling Laurent Robert who had dived during an early game for the club that if he repeated it he would never play for the club again. It’s about standards and as Sir Bobby proved they can be set.
“Arsenal need to do the same when it comes to Arteta’s histrionics. Managers should be there to make sure that things don’t get out of hand. The last thing you need is a manager getting out of hand.”
Malcolm Macdonald has accused Mikel Arteta of "re-writing the Arsenal handbook of standards" (Mirrorpix)Macdonald believes Arteta should have a conversation with Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, the pair having worked together at the Etihad.
“The one thing that he didn’t learn from Manchester City was how to behave on the sidelines,” Supermac added. “He got an awful lot from Pep but there is only him who is acting up so regularly on the touchline.
“With Arteta the bad habits seem to have grown and grown. I would urge him to just have a talk with Guardiola. I know Pep has his moments but they don’t turn into full blown issues unlike his one time protegee.”