Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterA TV presenter has felt compelled to backtrack after suggesting on live TV that Mikel Arteta's presence on the touchline may have led members of Atletico Madrid's coaching staff to want to 'punch [him] in the face'.Tempers were high during Arsenal's 1-0 victory at home to Atletico on Tuesday night, which booked the Gunners' passage to the Champions League final following a 1-1 draw in Madrid in the first leg.The dugout was particularly crowded and active during injury time, with Amazon Prime's commentary team noting they had never seen a pair of benches getting so involved. You may like Mikel Arteta must relax for greater good of hot-tempered Arsenal players or risk Manchester City fate Who are the commentators and pundits on Amazon Prime for Arsenal vs Atletico Madrid? Everything Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said after defeat to Southampton in the FA Cup "At what stage, as the opposition coach, do you want to punch Arteta in the face? How much does that annoy you?"Arteta's animated demeanour - and a touch of minor gamesmanship as he stood in the way of an Atletico throw-in at one point - caught the attention of ESPN presenter Dan Thomas.Speaking on the American broadcast ESPN FC, Thomas asked Craig Burley and Stewart Robson: "At what stage, as the opposition coach, do you want to punch Arteta in the face? How much does that annoy you?"As relayed by the Mirror, Craig Burley quite reasonably responded by pointing to Diego Simeone being no stranger to similar antics, saying: "Hold on, the two of them are as bad as each other."I thought, today, Arteta out-Simeone'd Simeone. The way he was running around at the end. Its got to be frustrating, hasnt it, as an opposition coach?"Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.Robson was much less generous, saying: "All Arteta does, I think hes doing it for himself: 'Look at me, Im great, I run this club, I do this, I do that' Its just absolutely pathetic."If I was running down the side, Id make sure I actually topped him. Id tackle the ball and tackle him at the same time."Thomas followed up his provocative question the next day, saying: "I just want to make reference to something I said yesterday, an off-hand comment that landed literally."Obviously, it was not intended to land that way. Ive thought about it today and I could have phrased it in such a better way. So, going forward I will definitely try not to say anything silly."Arsenal will now go on to face defending champions PSG in the final in Budapest.TOPICSMikel ArtetaDiego SimeoneArsenalAtltico MadridSteven ChickenSocial Links NavigationSteven Chicken has been working as a football writer since 2009, taking in stints with Football365 and the Huddersfield Examiner. Steven still covers Huddersfield Town home and away for his own publication,WeAreTerriers.com. Steven is a two-time nominee for Regional Journalist of the Year at the prestigious British Sports Journalism Awards, making the shortlist in 2020 and 2023.
