Gary Neville has slammed Mikel Arteta for his over-exaggerated behaviour on the touchline during Arsenal's crucial clash with Manchester United in the Premier League.
Arteta was booked by referee Anthony Taylor in the first half of the match after protesting against a foul by Luke Shaw on Bukayo Saka. The Arsenal winger was pushed to the ground by Shaw during a contest for a ball down the line, which occurred right in front of the Gunners' technical area.
Arteta was seen waving his arms around before sprinting down the touchline to make his objections known to the fourth official. Arsenal were awarded a foul for Shaw's challenge, but Arteta seemed unsatisfied with the action.
Taylor was quick to come over to the touchline to book Arteta. The decision follows weeks of debate over Arteta's exuberant behaviour on the sidelines, which has often boiled over into something more.
Neville was on co-commentary for Sky Sports and gave his thoughts on Arteta's actions and the wider debate surrounding the Gunners' boss.
"I think he’s right there, Anthony Taylor," Neville said. "He’s been singled out over the last few weeks, Mikel Arteta, but I have to say it was just a basic foul, there was nothing in it.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Is Mikel Arteta out of order, or has the whole thing been blown out of proportion? Comment below.
"Shaw’s just trying to get in front of him, Saka does well, but he charges back up the touchline like a madman, Mikel Arteta, just watch him. There’s nothing in it, it’s a foul, move on with the game. He makes it look like he’s two-footed him."
He added: "I was here a couple of weeks ago for the Newcastle game and he was at it all game, Mikel Arteta, which is fair enough, but on occasions where it wasn’t called for.
"He charged about 15 yards down the touchline and that was what he was shown a yellow card for."
beINSPORTS presenter Richard Keys has made highlighting Arteta's misdemeanours his personal quest. He quickly praised Taylor for getting the yellow card out.
Keys tweeted: “Well done Antony Taylor. Quite right. Perhaps we’re making progress now. There’s absolutely no need for it.”
Arsenal went into the half-time break with the score at 1-1. Marcus Rashford opened the scoring with a powerful, swerving finish from distance after Arsenal gave the ball away.
The home team equalised when Granit Xhaka picked out Eddie Nketiah with a pinpoint cross, which caught Aaron Wan-Bissaka sleeping at the back post.
