Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was seen awkwardly being asked for an autograph by a supporter as he drove home after Sunday’s FA Cup match against Wigan Athletic.
Mikel Arteta talks about an incident with a fan on Sunday night (Image: YouTube)
Mikel Arteta felt “exposed” when a fan asked him to autograph his Arsenal shirt while driving home with his wife after Sunday’s win over Wigan Athletic.
The Gunners advanced to the FA Cup fifth round with a comprehensive 4-0 victory over the League One side at the weekend. Hours after the match, footage of a fan begging Arteta to autograph an Arsenal shirt while his car was stopped went viral on social media, sparking debate online.
Arteta, who was in the car with his family, is believed to have followed the club’s safety protocols by refusing to interact with supporters, and expressed his concerns after being asked about the incident.
“I always try to be respectful. I love signing autographs and taking pictures whenever I can. I think that’s part of our role,” the Spaniard explained at a press conference on Tuesday.
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“But from a security perspective, there are some things you have to respect, especially when certain people are doing it, they’re not doing it for the right reasons.
“There are other examples. The last time my wife went there and what was reported in the media was completely wrong and unfair. But that’s it.”
“I like to talk about the great people who come in purely wanting to interact, and I think everyone knows me. I’m really happy to be able to do that.”
Following Arteta’s comments on the incident, Arsenal itself insisted: “It remains in our safety guidelines and protocols that managers, players and coaches are advised not to roll down their car windows while driving.”
Arteta went on to add that the fact that he was unable to move alone made the incident even worse.
Arsenal manager was driving with his wife when a supporter begged Arteta for an autograph.
But in this case, Arteta explained how the circumstances of being stuck in the car made the incident worse.
“But there are moments and situations where that’s not the case. In those cases, we also need someone to protect us. Otherwise we’re exposed, we get stuck in the car, and we’re not very comfortable there. But that’s it. I take it on the chin.”
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