CHRIS SUTTON has hit out at Mikel Arteta after the Arsenal boss vented his frustrations towards the referee during his side’s goalless draw with Newcastle.
Arsenal remain eight points clear at the top of the table despite dropping two points at home to the Magpies on Tuesday.
Mikel Arteta has become well known for his tendency to show emotion on the touchline and stray outside his technical area
During the game Arteta seemed to be aggrieved at a number of decisions given against his team and became an animated and agitated character on the sideline.
There was also a flash point with Newcastle boss Eddie Howe.
The Spanish coach discussed his feelings about the refereeing performance after the game claiming that Arsenal were denied two ‘scandalous’ penalties by the officials.
Former Blackburn striker, Sutton, wasn’t impressed with Arteta’s touchline antics and has had his say on the matter.
He told the Daily Mail: “There is a fine line between being passionate and a clown, and Mikel Arteta was the latter on Tuesday.
“I can understand getting caught up in the heat of the moment. It happens. You’re angry. You vent.
“But Arteta was at it all game, protesting against every decision.
“Arteta went over the top in his behaviour and Arsenal’s players responded by surrounding the referee to claim Murphy handled the ball late on.”
Sutton wasn’t the only one to make a comment on Arteta’s display on the sidelines after a fan took to social media to show a video of a cartoon fly edited alongside the manager’s extravagant actions.
The draw meant Arsenal failed to capitalise on the opportunity to go 10 points clear of reigning champions Manchester City.
Arteta’s men face a tough run of fixtures with clashes against Tottenham, Manchester United and Man City all to come in their next five league games.
The Spanish boss has been nominated for manager of the month which alongside the player of the month nominations for Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka display Arsenal’s electric form.