Ally McCoist has claimed that Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta gets in trouble for his touchline antics on purpose.
Arteta has been under the microscope in recent weeks for his behaviour on the side of the pitch, receiving considerable criticism from the likes of Alan Shearer and Chris Sutton for going over the top at refereeing decisions. The Spaniard recently mocked referee Simon Hooper during last weekend's 4-2 victory over Aston Villa, something former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher wasn't best pleased with.
“I think if the fourth official had felt it was untoward he’d have drawn it to the referee's attention and probably a yellow card. But it’s not a good advert, is it? We don’t want to see that,” Gallagher told Sky Sports when discussing the incident.
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Now, ex-Rangers striker McCoist has defended the Gunners boss, even claiming that it helps galvanise his players. Speaking about Arteta's actions on talkSPORT, the Scotsman said: "I don’t have a problem with it.
"At lot of people have a problem with it, I don’t at all. I think he probably does it deliberately.
"He gets into a little bit of trouble, to show the supporters [his desire to win]. That is a completely different stadium nowadays.
"Totally different stadium. If you’re on that pitch [as a player] and you look across and see that [it will help]."
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