Former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett has claimed that Mikel Arteta should have been punished for a rule he broke during Arsenal’s 4-1 win over Aston Villa on Tuesday night. The dominant display at the Emirates Stadium was exactly what the Gunners needed, as they had shown signs of complacency heading into the new year.
Although results had generally been fine, performances had notably dipped. Instead of looking like title certainties for their first Premier League crown since the 2003/04 campaign, Arteta’s side had scraped unnecessarily hard-fought wins over Brighton, Wolves, and Everton, suggesting they could face another tricky winter period.
That scenario could still play out for the current league leaders, especially with Declan Rice recently sidelined by injury. However, the north Londoners can count themselves lucky they are not also without Arteta on the touchline, according to Hackett.
Former PGMOL Chief Fumes at Arteta's Unpunished Antics
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta
Premier League - Arsenal v Crystal Palace - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - October 26, 2025 Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta reacts REUTERS/David Klein
Throughout Tuesday night's top of the table clash, Arteta repeatedly came out of his technical area, almost as if to put pressure on opposition players, with Jadon Sancho being targeted in particular. According to Hackett, he was fortunate not to be booked for the incident. He told Villa News (watch Arteta's antics below):
“I fully appreciate the passion of managers and, at times, the frustration they face when players are failing to act on their instructions. The technical area is specifically defined in law that the edge of the area must be at a minimum of one metre from the touchline. Arteta, like many managers, fails to comply with the law and remain inside the designated area whilst the game is in progress.
“A word from the fourth official should be sufficient to stop this transgression in law. If, after receiving the warning from the fourth official, he repeats the offence. The referee should be brought over to issue a yellow card to any manager committing this offence."
But, perhaps to no surprise of any rival supporter, it isn't the first time the Spaniard has tried this sort of tactic to gain some sort of edge over his opponents.
As pointed out by another X user, against Crystal Palace in Carabao Cup action on December 23, Arteta was a looming presence as Jaydee Canvot attempted to bypass a sprinting Myles Lewis-Skelly, with the Palace star rolling the ball out of play instead. Watch below:
Arsenal's Title Hopes Improve After Villa Win
Arsenal players in a huddle
Premier League - Everton v Arsenal - Hill Dickinson Stadium, Liverpool, Britain - December 20, 2025 Arsenal players in a huddle before the match Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
With victory in midweek, the Gunners extended their lead over Unai Emery and co. from three points to six. However, they cannot seem to shake off the pressure applied by Manchester City in recent years, and should the perennial winners take all three points against Chelsea on Sunday evening, the gap at the top would be cut to just two points yet again.
Squad depth and mentality are two areas in which Arsenal have improved since last season, and a result as significant as Tuesday’s should help drive them on through their strong run of form and perhaps even unlock another gear. Their chances of winning a first major honour under Arteta in front of supporters have been boosted, but Pep Guardiola is unlikely to let his former apprentice have it easy.