Arteta on Touchline Absence at Villa: "Emotionally Challenging, But Could Be Beneficial"

Mikel Arteta will be watching Saturday's clash against Aston Villa from the stands due to a touchline suspension, but the Arsenal manager remains optimistic. While acknowledging the emotional difficulty of his absence, Arteta sees potential benefits for the team.

In his place, the experienced trio of Albert Stuivenberg, Carlos Cuesta, and Nico Jover will take charge on the touchline. Arteta expressed full confidence in their abilities, stating, "Hopefully they'll play better, be more positive, and I can influence them with my positive mind!"

He further highlighted their experience, saying, "We have very experienced coaches; Albert, Carlos, and Nico will be there next to them. We've done it before at home, so let's do it now."

Arteta admitted to disappointment regarding his suspension, stemming from his passionate celebration after Declan Rice's late winner against Luton Town. While acknowledging the technical violation, he wished for greater context to be considered.

He explained, "It was a really emotional moment. You lose sense of where you are and the space you have to be in."

"I understand the rules, but the context is different," he emphasized. "After the emotion, I sat still for 30 seconds, but in the moment, it's difficult to control."

Despite the frustration, Arteta understands the boundaries. He remarked, "If I could be there, I would be, but I work closely with the players to win games, and moments like that are special in sport. However, I understand the limitations."

While Arteta's absence presents a challenge, his positive outlook and confidence in the coaching team suggest Arsenal can overcome this hurdle and secure a positive result against high-flying Aston Villa.