Mikel Arteta’s passionate celebration of Arsenal’s last-minute winner against Luton Town has come at a price. 

The manager’s exuberant reaction earned him a yellow card, his third of the season, resulting in a touchline ban for the crucial upcoming match against Aston Villa.

Despite the impending absence, Arteta remains unfazed. In an interview with BeIN Sports, he explained, “I couldn’t stay seated. It was pure emotion. If that’s a yellow, then okay, it’s a yellow.” His joy stemmed from Arsenal’s hard-fought 4-3 victory, which moved them five points clear at the top of the Premier League table.

Arteta lauded his team’s resilience, highlighting their determination to win despite facing challenges throughout the game. “Happiness, emotion, love for my players… everything they put in,” he declared, encapsulating the spirit of the thrilling encounter.

However, defensive frailties, particularly goalkeeper David Raya’s errors, emerged as concerns. Arteta, however, opted for a team-focused approach, emphasizing collective responsibility.

 “We have to defend better as a team,” he stated. “It’s not about blaming. We won’t do it now. It’s about how the team reacts. I love that response. We can definitely defend better.“

With Arsenal now facing Aston Villa without their passionate leader on the touchline, the focus shifts to rectifying defensive lapses and maintaining their Premier League lead. Can they do it without Arteta’s animated presence? Only time will tell.