TV presenter apologises after claiming Mikel Arteta deserved to be 'punched in the face’ | OneFootball

Comments from ESPN FC anchor Dan Thomas faced a backlash online

ESPN FC presenter Dan Thomas has apologised for suggesting Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta deserved to be “punched in the face”.

Thomas was part of the American broadcaster's coverage of Arsenal's Champions League semi-final win over Atletico Madrid on Tuesday evening, which was decided by Bukayo Saka's goal at the Emirates for a 2-1 aggregate win.

Arteta was as animated as ever on the touchline during the game, and notably during the final minutes as he chased after loose balls, ventured outside of his technical area and even stood in front of Atletico Madrid players taking throw-ins.

Speaking after the game, Thomas asked his ESPN FC colleagues: "At what stage, as the opposition coach, do you want to punch Arteta in the face? How much does that annoy you?"

Arteta was defend by pundit Craig Burley, who pointed to Diego Simeone's own antics and replied: "Hold on, the two of them are as bad as each other."

Thomas was not convinced, though, hitting back with: "I thought, today, Arteta out-Simeoned, Simeone.

"The way he was running around at the end. It’s got to be frustrating, hasn’t it, as an opposition coach?"

Thomas did have support in the studio though, with former Arsenal player Stewart Robson describing Arteta's behavior as "absolutely pathetic”.

He said: "What is a coach on the side of the pitch supposed to do? He’s meant to coach the game, he’s meant to give instructions.

"All Arteta does, I think he’s doing it for himself: ‘Look at me, I’m great, I run this club, I do this, I do that… It’s just absolutely pathetic."

He added: "If I was running down the side, I’d make sure I actually topped him. I’d tackle the ball and tackle him at the same time."

“It got to a stage in the game where every time the camera went to him, I had to turn away.”

During the exchange, former Tottenham manager Jurgen Klinsmann sat silently without comment.

Thomas's comments went viral and subsequently prompted a huge backlash online. An apology has now followed.

Thomas said: "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. I’ve 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"