Mikel Arteta believes he has learned from Arsenal’s controversial defeat to Newcastle last season and is trying to keep his emotions in check as he does not want to be banned from the dugout.
Arteta was cleared of making disparaging comments about match officials following Arsenal’s 1-0 defeat at St James’ Park last year after VAR did not recommend Anthony Gordon’s winning goal be ruled out. The Spaniard is one of five Premier League managers who have not received a yellow card this season as his side prepare to play at Newcastle in an early start on Saturday.
Arteta, who hopes Gabriel Magalhaes is fit but has doubts about Ben White due to a joint problem, said he was making a conscious effort not to cross the line.
“I don’t want to miss any matches, that’s for sure,” he said. “I can’t promise that if we score a goal I won’t be jumping up and down on the touchline. I can’t guarantee that. Hopefully so will they.” [the match officials] They have adapted and realized that emotions are a big part of it. “I can’t control myself over the outcome and it’s worked so far.”
Asked if he meditates to help deal with less favorable decisions, Arteta said: “On the touchline, I’m not at that point where I’m in meditation mode yet, but maybe that’s something that has to happen! I just want what’s best for the team and I want to improve.” I give the team the best chance to be as competitive as possible, to win the majority of football matches when they change the rules and certain behaviors towards the touchline, we need to adapt to that and evolve and that’s what I’m trying to do.”
The New Zealand rugby union team were at Arsenal’s training ground on Wednesday preparing for their clash with England on Saturday, although Arteta was unable to spend any time with their coach Scott Robertson, who he described as an “inspiration”, due to a trip to Preston in the Carabao Cup. Arteta recommended reading the book ‘Legacy: What All Blacks Can Teach Us About Life’s Work’ which influenced his approach as a manager.
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Asked what specific ideas he embraced, Arteta said: “A few. It’s particularly about culture and the importance of clarity, or what it means to wear a shirt. The feeling of belonging to something. When someone plays with that feeling, I think it raises their level of commitment, raises their level of commitment.” His ability to perform and influence the organization in a different way.
