MY ACCOUNT
Mikel Arteta should concentrate on Arsenal and not complain so much, according to Tottenham boss Antonio Conte.
Spurs claimed a 3-0 victory over Arsenal in the Premier League on Thursday to stop the Gunners from getting the three points they needed to clinch a top-four finish, with the difference between the sides now down to one point with two games remaining.
Son won the penalty that Harry Kane converted for the opening goal and a foul on the South Korea international saw Rob Holding receive his second yellow card in the 33rd minute. It was Arsenal’s 13th Premier League red card since Arteta took over in December 2019, five more than any other side in that timeframe.
Kane doubled his tally and Son put Spurs 3-0 up early in the second half, with Arteta saying after the match he could not give an opinion on the refereeing decisions
“He has to continue to work because he’s very good. To hear someone complain all the time is not so good. If we want to complain, we have the possibility every game.
“At Liverpool do you hear me complain about Fabinho and all the fouls? No. He can take my advice if he wants, but if not I don’t care.” or he would “be suspended for six months”.
Conte, however, felt referee Paul Tierney was right in his decision-making as Spurs won a third straight home league games against Arsenal for the first time since 1961.
“He complains a lot. He has to focus more on his team. He has to focus more on his work,” said Conte.
The fixture was originally scheduled to be played in January but was postponed upon Arsenal’s request as they contended with absences due to COVID-19, injuries and the Africa Cup of Nations.
Conte added: “[Arteta] complained about the fixtures and that was after Arsenal had an unbelievable postponement with just one COVID case. Now we’re playing at 12pm on Sunday and they don’t play until Monday. We can’t always complain.
“[Arteta] is a very good coach and I think can become a very important coach for the future, but in six months I have heard him complain a lot.”
Conte was quick to remind his players that failure to follow up their win over the Gunners with another victory against Burnley at the weekend would make their derby success meaningless.
“For sure, it was a good performance. From the start until the end, our approach to manage the game was very positive,” said Conte.
“Winning this game gave us the possibility to continue [the fight] to take our place in the Champions League. I’m pleased with the commitment
“I was clear with the players that it’s alright to celebrate, but if we don’t win on Sunday it doesn’t mean anything.”
