Arsenal face FA rap after wild celebrations against Liverpool… but Mikel Arteta is set to escape punishment

3 months ago 24

MIKEL Arteta will avoid any FA action for his stoppage-time goal celebrations against Liverpool.

But Arsenal will be hit with the “standard” £25,000 fine after six of Arteta’s players were cautioned in their 3-1 win.

Emirates chief Mikel Arteta will not be sanctioned as match officials did not report his behaviour during Sunday’s win[/caption]

Arsenal’s celebrations after beating Liverpool, including Martin Odegaard’s happy snapping, sparked some criticism[/caption]

Arteta infuriated some TV Liverpool fans as he reacted to Leandro Trossard’s added-time clincher.

The Spaniard leapt wildly before sprinting through and out of his technical area, potentially leaving himself open to a charge.

But FA rules, reinforced this term, leave policing of touchline behaviour to the match officials.

As neither referee Anthony Taylor nor any of his colleagues made any mention of Arteta’s behaviour that is considered the end of the matter by FA beaks, who have no intention of even contacting the Arsenal boss.

But the yellow cards picked up by Ben White, Gabriel, Jakob Kiwior and, in stoppage time, William Saliba, Declan Rice and Kai Havertz, will see a fine levied against the Gunners.

Liverpool had defender Ibrahima Konate sent off following his second yellow card soon before Gunners’ sub Trossard finished them off.

But Arsenal’s players came under fire from some quarters for their victory celebrations soon after.

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher said: “Just get down the tunnel. You’ve won a game. It’s three points. They’re back in the title race, get down the tunnel. I’m serious, honestly.”

FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS & NEW CUSTOMER BONUSES

And his fellow Sky Sports pundit, ex-Manchester United defender Gary Neville, argued: “I have gone past the idea of having a go at players for celebrating, I just still think there is a little bit of immaturity in their celebrations.”

But Arsenal skipper Martin Odegaard insisted his team had every right to react as they did – after rising to second place, two points behind Liverpool.

The midfielder said: “Everyone who loves football, who understands football, they know how much it means to win this game.

“And if you’re not allowed to celebrate when you win a game, when are you allowed to celebrate? We’re happy with the win and we’ll stay humble.

“Everyone who loves football, who understands football, they know how much it means to win this game.

“And if you’re not allowed to celebrate when you win a game, when are you allowed to celebrate? We’re happy with the win and we’ll stay humble.”