Arteta Handshake Controversy

“I Decided to Go Inside” Unai Emery Addresses Arteta Handshake Controversy

Rohan Singh

Modified - Dec 31, 2025, 10:52 AM

3 min

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Summary

Unai Emery explained that he went straight inside after the final whistle and did not intentionally ignore Mikel Arteta following Arsenal’s 4-1 win.
The Aston Villa manager played down the incident, insisting there was no issue or tension behind the missed handshake.

The Arsenal vs Aston Villa EPL match was one of the most hyped games of December, as both teams were fighting for the top spot in the world most watched league. The clash gave the excitement fans expected, but not in favour of the visitors, as they lost the match by a margin of 3 goals.

Aston Villa came into the match on an impressive 11-game winning streak this season under Unai Emery. The Spaniard has transformed the club from a mid-table side into genuine title contenders, building a team that not only competes at the top but also plays with a clear new identity and getting beaten by a big margin may have forced the manager to react in a certain way.

The match, which saw 5 goals, came into headlines for various reasons, one of which was the Unai Emery Mikel Arteta handshake controversy. Unai Emery didn't shake hands with manager Mikel Arteta and went straight into the tunnel at Emirates Stadium.

A few seconds later, Gunners manager was seen looking for the Spaniard but was told in gestures that he had left the ground. The clip of the Unai Emery Mikel Arteta handshake controversy went viral moments after the final whistle. Fans across the world, especially supporters of the London based club, mocked the Spaniard for what they felt was unsporting behaviour after the match. As the incident gained too much attention online, Emery was asked about it during his post-match press conference, where several questions were raised regarding his actions.

Unai Emery Response to Mikel Arteta Handshake Controversy

In response to the question asked about the Mikel Arteta handshake controversy, Unai Emery said that “Always my routine is quick. Shake hands and then go with my players and coaches to the dressing room. I was waiting. He was happy and with his coaches. So I decided to go.” he also added, “I cannot wait. It was cold.”

Emery may have justified his behavior, but it turned into a negative thing as the response was not taken as it was supposed to be taken. Till now, the fans are very angry with the Spaniard and are asking for his apology, and some fans are mocking him left, right, and center.