The only thing “scandalous” about proceedings at the Emirates earlier this week was not the performance of the officials, but the antics of Mikel Arteta.
Not that the Premier League will be remotely bothered by the histrionics because the cult of the ranting touchline manager has become part of what it likes to call the ‘product’. If they could, they would probably encourage it.
Arteta, Pep Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp, Antonio Conte, whoever, screaming blue murder at referees and their assistants is good for business. The broadcasters love it and it keeps the ‘product’ in the spotlight. Arsenal’s goalless draw with Newcastle got plenty of reaction but, strip away Arteta’s antics and the now-standard dark arts on the pitch, it was an unremarkable football match. No goals, five attempts on target.
