Arsenal will learn from Lewis-Skelly’s Haaland taunt: Arteta

Mikel Arteta is expecting that Arsenal learns from the provocative celebration of Myles Lewis-Skelly against Manchester City last season when the title rivalalized at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

Arsenal Lewis-Skelly defender made fun of the city striker Erling Haaland by facing his Zen goal celebration after scoring 5-1 rout of the Gunners of the Pep Guardiola team in February.

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Arsenal not having succeeded in reigning fights with City in 2023 and 2024, the rivalry between the clubs has become more and more acrimonious.

Haaland had mocked the boss of Arsenal Arteta by pressing him to “stay humble” after a storm 2-2 draw at the Etihad stadium earlier last season.

The teenager Lewis-Skelly, who did not start a match for Arsenal this season, was criticized for his inflammatory celebration.

When he was asked if he had spoken to his players of their objective celebrations before Sunday confrontation, Arteta told journalists: “Well, it was done, and it is part of it.

“There have been many celebrations or non-cells in the past of many teams. The experience is to learn and grow too and we have certainly learned.”

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Arsenal was without Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Ben White for their victory in the Champions League in the middle of the week against Athletic Bilbao in Spain.

Arteta hinted that Arsenal could face City without the trio after revealing that they should not train this week.

“If there is a chance, it will be after the session of tomorrow because they have not yet done anything. We will have more information tomorrow,” he said.

“Everything has been changed so far for them. There are still a few things to erase and we will have more information to find out if they are part of the team or if they have the opportunity to be part of the team.”

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Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokerres should be available after needing stitches for a head injury suffered as a result of a head confrontation with the Gabriel Magalhaes team.

Meanwhile, Arteta insisted that the sudden departure of one of his main allies after a reshuffle of the conference room would not affect his relationship with the club.

Arsenal announced on Friday the departure of the vice-president Tim Lewis, who had advised the owners Kroenke Sports since 2007.

Lewis, 62, played a key role alongside Arteta and sports director Andrea Berta in summer spending of 250 million Arsenal Sterling pounds ($ 337 million).

But co -president Josh Kroenke should have more influence on club affairs, according to reports.

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“I have an incredible gratitude towards Tim and what he did for the football club, which he did for the team and for me personally,” said Arteta.

“The club has a wonderful future. I am so positive about it and each time I speak to Stan and Josh and how ready they are, the projection they have, the vision they have for the football club, there is no doubt that there are great things to come.”

SMG / BSP