Arsenal: Mikel Arteta reacts to Rayan Cherki showboating before Man City revenge mission | OneFootball

Cherki’s Wembley antics riled Gunners fans during last month’s Carabao Cup final

Mikel Arteta had no issue with Rayan Cherki's showboating in the Carabao Cup final, insisting Arsenal will not use it as added motivation this weekend.

The Frenchman then posed for the cameras as he lay on the ground after the challenge.

That has led to suggestions that Arteta could use it to motivate his players before Sunday's trip to face City, as he has previously done.

When Brentford beat Arsenal in 2021, then Bees striker Ivan Toney tweeted: "Nice kick about with the boys."

Arteta put that post up in the changing room before the return fixture later in the season, urging his players to ensure there was no repeat.

However, Arteta suggested he has no plans to draw further attention to Cherki's showboating in the build-up to Sunday's match.

Having fun: Rayan Cherki attracted attention for his showboating against Arsenal at Wembley

Getty

"No, I think every player has his way to express it and you have to respect that," Arteta said.

"It’s part of football, you are allowed to do it. You can react in the manner that you want but I think the player has to be respected because he's entitled to do those things."

The last time Arsenal were at the Etihad Stadium, it finished 2-2 and Erling Haaland told Arteta to "stay humble" as they shook hands after the match.

Arteta has not spoken to Haaland or Pep Guardiola about those comments since, playing down the incident and joking that much worse has been said to him on other occasions.

"If I have to talk about all the things that have been said on the pitch, I think we'll have some big meetings," Arteta said.

When it was put to him that the exchange seemed unusual, Arteta said: "No, not that much.

"Don't worry. The mics are coming in football, I don't know when. That's one of the nicest things that you can get told."