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Football

07th Nov 2021

Claudio Ranieri and Mikel Arteta involved in argument after Arsenal’s win against Watford

Daniel Brown

The Tinkerman was less than impressed

Claudio Ranieri and Mikel Arteta were involved in an argument following Arsenal’s home win against Watford on Sunday.

The Gunners secured a 1-0 victory to stretch their unbeaten run to 10 games, having won their last four fixtures.

Emile Smith Rowe scored the only goal in the game in the 56th minute, after Bukayo Saka had a goal ruled out for offside and captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang missed a penalty.

Following the full-time whistle, Ranieri and Arteta were seen arguing about Arsenal’s winner – with the Watford boss unhappy that the home side didn’t kick the ball out of play after Ismaila Sarr went down injured.

After an Arsenal cross was defended and headed clear, the Senegalese winger was knocked to the floor by an on-rushing Ainsley Maitland-Niles, in what looked to be a clear foul.

However, Kevin Friend allowed play to continue – with the Hornets quickly losing possession after a smart interception by Gunners defender Ben White.

The former Brighton & Hove Albion man lost the ball, but Smith Rowe picked it up and dispatched a strike past Ben Foster in the Watford goal.

With Sarr down injured, Ranieri and his coaching staff clearly believed that the London outfit should’ve kicked the ball out of play so that he could receive treatment.

However, Arsenal did not do that and the away side paid the price.

Whilst it is unclear what was said between the Italian and Arteta after the game, the 70-year-old was evidently angered by lack of sportsmanship shown by Arsenal.

The Spaniard was quickly moved away by a member of his coaching team, as he walked back onto the pitch to applaud the supporters in attendance at the Emirates Stadium.

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