Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta and Newcastle’s Joelinton were in a confrontational clash. It was after a dramatic Premier League match between Newcastle and Arsenal. Joelinton walked towards the Arsenal technical bench in stoppage time and assaulted one of Arsenal’s member of staff. That is member of staff Miguel Molina, an assistant coach.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta responded quickly. He broke up the altercation between Joelinton and Molina and cooled it off. He spoke to Molina and cooled what would have been a brawl.
Match Context & Reaction: Mikel Arteta and Joelinton
The match itself was dramatic: Newcastle had taken the lead in the first half with Nick Woltemade. Arsenal counter-attacked. Mikel Merino levelled with a header in the 84th minute. Gabriel Magalhaes put it beyond doubt with a thumping header from a corner of the 96th minute.
Arsenal is now second in the league, two points behind Liverpool.
Arteta hailed his players for their tenacity after the game. In his opinion, the players were displaying character, control, and confidence.
What We Know & What We Don’t
We know Joelinton got into an altercation with the member of staff and Arteta stepped in.
We don’t have confirmation that he fought Arteta openly, as had been rumored. The altercation was with a coach, not Arteta.
Joelinton did point angrily in the direction of Arteta as they were leaving, but he didn’t pursue after him.
There has been no official announcement (so far) or punishment concerning the actions of Joelinton. I have not managed to find any reliable source that indicates punishment or official complaint has been lodged.
Author’s Insight
The confrontation was genuine, but with Joelinton and an Arsenal staff member, not Arteta. Arteta acted as a mediator. The desperate game result lent significance to what could have been otherwise a meaningless post-game rant.
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