Mikel Arteta

“I watched it 20 times, and I cannot find a way to understand how they think to give a penalty in that situation or the way the VAR has not intervened.”

Mikel Arteta · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-14

Arteta said he watched the penalty incident 20 times and could not understand how a penalty was given or why VAR did not intervene.

“We have to go through what was done today that, in my opinion, is not acceptable,”

Mikel Arteta · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-14

Arteta was furious about a penalty decision in Arsenal's win over Sunderland, saying what was done was not acceptable.

“It’s not a penalty in any context, in any league.”

Mikel Arteta · said 2026-09-12 · reported 2026-09-12

Arteta continued his criticism of the penalty award given against Arsenal in their win over Sunderland.

“It was a huge win , but it could have been something very different,”

Mikel Arteta · said 2026-09-12 · reported 2026-09-12

Arteta made the comment while expressing anger at the referee's decision to award Sunderland a penalty during Arsenal's 2-0 win.

“It’s unbelievable the spirit and the courage we have to go again and again and again,”

Mikel Arteta · said 2026-09-12 · reported 2026-09-12

Arteta praised his team's resilience after Arsenal secured their fourth consecutive league win to start the season.

“Sunderland deserve a lot of credit for the way they make it so hard for you.”

Mikel Arteta · said 2026-09-12 · reported 2026-09-12

Arteta credited Sunderland for their tenacious performance despite Arsenal taking the 2-0 win.

“It’s unacceptable at this level; this can change the course of a season and the championship. It’s not acceptable. I’ve seen it 10 times to make sure, and it’s not possible at this level that it can be a penalty. It cannot happen.”

Mikel Arteta · said 2026-09-12 · reported 2026-09-12

Arteta blasted the penalty decision by referee John Brooks after Ezri Konsa was penalised for pulling down Dan Ballard.

“So pleased in one sense and so worried in another.”

Mikel Arteta · said 2026-09-12 · reported 2026-09-12

Arteta expressed mixed feelings of pleasure and worry following Arsenal's hard-fought victory over Sunderland.

“David Raya was unbelievable. He is a player that decides football matches when we need it.”

Mikel Arteta · said 2026-09-12 · reported 2026-09-12

Arteta singled out goalkeeper David Raya, whose 55th-minute penalty save proved crucial in Arsenal's 2-0 win.

“But it is what it is. It is what we have and, as I said before, we already have some very, very good players.”

Mikel Arteta · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-05

Arteta acknowledged the current squad has very good players despite personnel changes.

“That will depend on a lot of factors and game state is a massive one, especially because the two games that they played, they scored very, very early and that changes the momentum and the shift of the game,”

Mikel Arteta · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-05

Arteta said controlling the flow of the game would be crucial against Chelsea, who scored very early in their opening matches.

“We have to understand the amount of minutes that those players played and the ones that were injured last year, especially in the first six months, and the data shows something completely different,”

Mikel Arteta · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-05

Arteta insisted Arsenal's attack is not weaker compared with last season despite several departures.

“I am really happy for him. It’s incredible because obviously we have the history we have together,”

Mikel Arteta · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-05

Arteta spoke to reporters on Friday ahead of facing longtime friend Xabi Alonso for the first time in the Premier League.

“I don’t know, these are just opinions,”

Mikel Arteta · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-05

Arteta brushed off suggestions that Arsenal had fallen short in the transfer market.

“The window is closed and I prefer to look at all the incredible things that we have in this squad and not to spend any more time on the things that are not part of us right now. That’s it and that’s my main responsibility.”

Mikel Arteta · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-05

Arteta said he preferred to focus on the squad's strengths rather than transfer window shortcomings.

“To be facing each other at such a level and with the responsibility we have managing some of the top clubs in the country is a really beautiful thing to experience.”

Mikel Arteta · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-05

Arteta reflected on facing Alonso while managing top clubs in England.

“But they are capable and he’s capable of playing in various ways. He’s been a really successful manager so far.”

Mikel Arteta · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-05

Arteta praised Alonso as a successful manager capable of playing in various ways.