11 March 2023 , 22:30
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Mikel Arteta has told the goal celebration police to “go to church” if they don’t want to feel the “passion and emotion” in football.
And the Arsenal boss insisted he will not tell his Premier League leaders to tone down any post-goal reactions before Sunday's visit to Fulham. The Gunners were investigated by the FA after their staff and subs spilled onto the pitch following their 97th-minute winner over Bournemouth - having come back from 2-0.
But Arteta stated he had no worries his players were over-celebrating - and urged them to carry on showing the fans their love of the game.
“If you win in football you celebrate,” he said. “You want passion and emotion. There is nothing better than scoring goals and winning football matches. So if not, you go to church. For sure I won’t be telling the players not to celebrate on Sunday.”
Arteta made six changes for the 2-2 Europa League draw at Sporting Lisbon with captain Martin Odegaard and Kieran Tierney missing out due to illness. Hopefully nobody else picks it up and we have a full squad to face Fulham.
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And the Gunners boss left open the chance of Gabriel Jesus making his comeback from December knee surgery after leaving the Brazil striker at home this week.
“Let’s see,” added the Spaniard. “He will have only one more training session and he really needs to feel confident and ready to go. He has a big say on that. He wasn’t ready to compete in Lisbon.”
Arsenal's celebrations wouldn't have been welcome in a church (Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)Arsenal needed a late winner from Gabriel to beat Fulham in August after the Brazilian’s error had allowed Aleksandar Mitrovic to put Fulham ahead.
Marco Silva’s side have continued to compete this season and go into the weekend in seventh place. German goalkeeper Bernd Leno has been a key for the Cottagers since leaving the Emirates Stadium last summer for only £8m in search of first-team football.
“I am really happy for Bernd,” added Arteta. “He is a really good goalkeeper and we knew that. I am really glad he went somewhere where he is happy and performing.”