Mikel Arteta says he hopes he doesn’t clash with Jurgen Klopp at Anfield on Sunday, but played down their previous dust-up, saying ‘it happens in football’.
The Arsenal and Liverpool managers had a memorable scuffle back in November 2021, with Arteta fuming on the touchline after a challenge from Sadio Mane on Takehiro Tomiyasu.
It seemed like a massive overreaction from the Spaniard and it didn’t help his team out, as after the two bosses were physically separated the Anfield crowd got going and so did the Reds.
The match was goalless at the time of the clash and Liverpool went on to win 4-0, but Arteta says he was just trying to defend his players.
While he’d rather not get into that kind of position again, he says he would have to see how he reacts if something similar happens again.
‘I would have to be in the situation again. I reacted to defend our players the best possible way but I don’t like seeing myself like this so hopefully not,’ he said.
”It happens in football and after that we hugged each other and moved on. The last time we were together nothing happened. I have full respect and admiration for what they’ve done. We’ve moved on.
‘After that we had the best chance in the game and could have gone 1-0 up. One minute later they have a wide free-kick and score. Who knows? I don’t know.
‘They are a great team managed by a top manager and they create an incredible atmosphere that makes it very difficult for any opponent.
‘It is the same to come to the Emirates. It’s very, very difficult so we know that and the opportunity is there ahead of us on Sunday.
‘Something we have done in the last two or three years is to win in places that the team didn’t do for many years.’
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