Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was seen awkwardly being pestered for an autograph by a supporter while driving home following Sunday’s FA Cup clash against Wigan Athletic
Mikel Arteta was left feeling “exposed” after being asked to sign an Arsenal shirt by a fan while he was driving home with his wife following Sunday’s win over Wigan Athletic.
The Gunners advanced to the fifth round of the FA Cup with a comprehensive 4-0 win over the League One outfit at the weekend. Hours after the game, a clip of a fan pleading with Arteta to sign an Arsenal shirt while his car was at a standstill went viral on social media, prompting debate online.
Arteta, who was in the car with his family, is understood to have followed club security protocol by refusing to engage with the supporter – and he raised his own concerns after being asked about the incident.
“I always try to be very respectful. I love to sign and photograph as much as I can. I think it’s part of our role,” the Spaniard explained in his press conference on Tuesday.
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“But there are certain things in terms of security that we have to respect. And especially when certain people are doing it, they are not doing it for the right reasons.
“We have other examples. The last time my wife was there, and what was in the media, was totally wrong and unfair. But that’s it.
“I prefer to talk about incredible other people that come around genuinely because they want to have that interaction. And I think everybody knows me, how happy I am to do that.”
In the wake of Arteta’s comments on the incident, Arsenal themselves stressed: “Our security guidance and protocol remains that manager, players and coaches are advised not to roll their vehicle windows down when driving.”
Arteta went on to add that the incident was made worse by the fact that he was in his own and unable to move.
However, in this case, Arteta explained how the incident was made worse by the environment of being in his car, unable to move.
“But there are moments and context that is not the case. And then we need somebody there to protect us as well, because if not, we will get exposed, and you cannot move from your car, and you don’t feel very comfortable there. But that’s it. I take it in the chin.”
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