Arteta needs to learn Liverpool mistake in tough United test

AFTER losing his head with Jurgen Klopp at Anfield, Mikel Arteta cannot afford to let emotions get the better of him or his Arsenal side as they travel to an expectant Old Trafford tomorrow (4.15am Malaysian time).

So often a man of mild manners, it was quite the shock to see Arteta embroiled in a touchline bust-up at Liverpool recently.

The Spaniard lost his cool with Klopp over a clumsy clash between Sadio Mane and Takehiro Tomiyasu, with it becoming so heated fourth official Andy Madley was forced to intervene and come between the passionate pair.

However, in hindsight, Arteta will have wished he had just kept his mouth shut.

The flashpoint ignited Klopp and his adoring Anfield admirers into action, ramping up the atmosphere and sparking the Reds into life on their way to a ruthless 4-0 romp over the Gunners.

While Arteta clearly felt the need in that moment to make his presence known and assert himself on the sidelines in the shadow of the often domineering Klopp, the move backfired massively.

After stifling the Reds’ attack for all of 30 first half minutes at Anfield, the emotional outpouring from the touchline tussle played perfectly into Liverpool’s hands as Arsenal’s resolve crumbled. They caved in and that old fragility was exposed.

Having successfully negotiated Newcastle since, Arsenal now head to another so-called “Big Six” rival, looking to once again show their worth and prove progress has been made under Arteta. But once more, emotions will be running high.

Though recently-appointed interim manager Ralf Rangnick may not be permitted to take to the touchline for his first match in charge, the return of a rejuvenated Manchester United to an expectant Old Trafford should make for an electric atmosphere.

While Arteta will have no doubt learnt many lessons from the Liverpool loss less than two weeks ago, perhaps his biggest teaching will have been the need to continue to cut his usual calm and composed figure on the touchline.

The Theatre of Dreams should be rocking as the dawn of the Rangnick’s short-term era begins and if Arsenal are to stand any chance of making it out with a result, they cannot get caught up in the emotion of this occasion, too.

As they did for the first half hour at Anfield, Arteta’s men must remain assured and composed as they look to suck the life out of the game.

“We competed really well in the first half,” the Arsenal boss noted after the Liverpool game.

“They had their moments and we had our moments, we were really compact and used the ball in the right way.

“Then we conceded a goal from a set play… we just threw it away.”

Arteta added: “It’s a learning process, but the most important game now is the next one and forget about this one.

“It can be in certain moments we had to mix our play much better and we didn’t. We lost control of the game.”

Though it’s needless to say United don’t possess the same level of ruthlessness as Liverpool, you get the impression one momentary blip, be it by player or manager, could be all the Red Devils need to swing momentum their way.

Arsenal must stay compact and in control; Arteta must keep his cool. – Express Newspapers