Arsenal have been fined £40,000 by the Football Association for failing to control their players during the heated end to the goalless draw against Newcastle.
Mikel Arteta and his players were heavily criticised after reacting angrily to referee Andrew Madley's decision to not award them an injury-time penalty. Arteta clashed with Magpies manager Eddie Howe on the touchline before describing the officiating as "scandalous" in his post-match interviews.
Newcastle legend Alan Shearer later branded Arteta “disrespectful”, while ex-Blackburn striker Chris Sutton said the Spaniard behaved like a “clown”. Arsenal were charged with failing to control their players and that hearing has now led to a hefty fine from the FA.
The FA said Arsenal had "admitted that they failed to ensure their players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion during the 95th minute" of the match. Arteta has avoided any specific sanctions for his actions.
Speaking before the verdict, Arteta tried to defend himself against the waves of criticism from the likes of Shearer and Sutton. “I am not part of that debate,” said Arteta. “Of course, they can have their opinions. I try to do my best for this football club, to defend it, to promote it, and to play with the passion that the game has to be played in.
“Every game is special and every manager behaves very differently regarding the circumstances. And you can’t take the context out of a situation. That is not fair. That is me, here and on the pitch, for the good and the bad.”
Asked if he was prepared to change his behaviour, Arteta replied: “That is me and I will try all the time to be better and whatever I do, if it is tomorrow, the next day, or the next one, is to make the club stronger and my players better, to play better, and to win.
“But if I have to do something, I will do it, and if I have to change something, believe me I will look in the mirror myself and change it very quickly.”
Antonio Conte has tried to ramp up the pressure on Arsenal and Arteta head of Sunday's north London derby.
Asked whether he had concerns over Arsenal attempting to intimidate officials this weekend, Conte replied: "No but I think that also in an important game like this, the respect is always at the top, OK?
"You have to show respect in every situation and especially also with the referee because I know very well the difficulty to be a referee, to take decisions.
"I think to intimidate [the referee] or to create a bad atmosphere is not fair. I don't like this. I hate the people that try to do it. Don't forget that we are talking always about a game of football."
