Unai Emery has offered a candid explanation for his decision not to shake hands with Mikel Arteta immediately after Aston Villa's heavy 4-1 defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday. The Villa boss claimed the Arsenal manager 'kept me waiting' in the aftermath of the match, which ended Villa's remarkable 11-game winning streak.
The Post-Match Snub Explained
Following the final whistle, Emery was seen waiting on the touchline to exchange the customary handshake. However, as Arteta continued celebrating the comprehensive victory with his coaching staff, Emery opted to head straight down the tunnel towards the dressing room. When questioned about the incident afterwards, the Spaniard was blunt in his assessment.
"It is simple, you can watch. Always my routine is quick," Emery stated. "I shake hands and then go with my players and coaches into the dressing room. I was waiting. He [Arteta] was waiting and he was with his coaches. I decided to go inside. For me it is no problem." The pair had shaken hands before the kick-off, but the post-match protocol broke down.
How The Premier League Clash Unfolded
The match itself saw Arsenal deliver a dominant second-half performance to dismantle a Villa side that had been in scintillating form. The teams were level at half-time, but the deadlock was broken shortly after the restart when Gabriel Magalhães powered in a header from a corner, beating Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.
The Gunners quickly doubled their lead through midfielder Martin Zubimendi. Leandro Trossard added a third just after the hour mark, and substitute Gabriel Jesus made it 4-0 shortly after entering the fray. Villa's lone consolation came from Ollie Watkins, who tapped home late on after good work from Donyell Malen.
Emery's Verdict on Arsenal and Villa's Performance
Despite the heavy scoreline, Emery expressed satisfaction with aspects of his team's display and was effusive in his praise for the victors. "We competed fantastic in the first half and we had momentum," he said. "We felt comfortable, but we conceded the first goal in the second half. [Amadou] Onana’s injury didn’t help us."
He went on to label Mikel Arteta's side as the clear favourites for the title. "Arsenal are the best team in the league and they are the favourite to win the title," Emery conceded. However, he remained positive about Villa's own campaign, adding: "I am happy with how we have set our ambitious demands." The result leaves Villa's extraordinary winning run, which had lasted almost two months, in tatters, while Arsenal reinforced their championship credentials.
