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·7 février 2026

Arsenal - Chelsea: Mikel Arteta issues an apology

Arteta quells the controversy after Arsenal - Chelsea

Arsenal - Chelsea: Mikel Arteta issues an apology

Vidéos OneFootball

Mikel Arteta opted for a calm approach. Following the controversy that erupted after the Carabao Cup semi-final won by Arsenal (3-2), the Gunners' manager was keen to defuse the tension sparked by what the opposing side considered an intrusive warm-up.

"I have never asked my team or my coaches to encroach on the opponent's territory. (...) They were disrupting the warm-up of my players and my staff."

These remarks quickly fueled the debate.

On Friday, Arteta responded candidly, choosing to apologize:

"I don't know, that's his opinion and of course we respect everyone. If at any point a staff member experienced this, we apologize, plain and simple."

A statement that should put an end to an episode that has already been overblown.

🗣️Mikel Arteta responds to Liam Rosenior’s criticism of #Arsenal following our win over Chelsea in the Carabao Cup this week: “It’s Liam’s opinion and obviously we respect everybody and if at any point one of the staff members crossed the halfway line, we apologise and that’s it.
– samedi 7 février 2026