Emery defends failure to shake hands with Arteta after Villa loss to Arsenal

AFP | London

Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

Unai Emery said his failure to shake hands with opposing manager Mikel Arteta was because it was “cold” at the Emirates following his Aston Villa side’s thumping 4-1 loss to Premier League leaders Arsenal.

It was an emphatic end to Villa’s club record-equalling 11-match winning streak.

At the final whistle, Arsenal manager Arteta, who succeeded Emery as Gunners boss, shared a brief embrace with his backroom staff before going to the opposing dugout to greet his fellow Spaniard.

But Emery had already made his way down the tunnel following a handshake with fourth official Thomas Kirk.

“It is simple,” said Emery when asked about what had had happened.

“You can watch. After I finish the match, my routine is always quick, I shake hands, and I go with my coaches, with my players to the dressing room.

“I was waiting, I was waiting. He (Arteta) was happy, of course he was happy. He was with his coaches. And I decided to go inside. But for me it is no problem.”

Emery later told Sky Sports: “Always my routine is go to the opposition coach, shake hands and go inside. If he is not doing the same rule, I can’t wait… it was cold.”