Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has no intention of changing touchline behaviour amid criticism

Mikel Arteta has no plans to change his touchline behaviour after coming in for criticism from observers.

The Arsenal manager’s dugout comportment has been singled out in recent weeks after the return of domestic football following the end of the Qatar World Cup in December.

The Spaniard’s team are top of the Premier League with Arteta’s stewardship responsible for a step-change in performance from last season when they fell just short of a top-four finish to secure a Champions League spot.

This year they are clear at the top of the Premier League and the title is theirs to lose, though there remains more than half of the matches still to be played. Earlier in the week, Arteta clashed with Newcastle coach Eddie Howe during their 0-0 draw.

Speaking to the press after he was criticised for his animated gestures and movements in the technical area, and sometimes outside it, Arteta acknowledged the subject but was not given to expressing a strong opinion.

“I’m not part of that debate,” he began.

Arteta continued: “I think publicly they can have their opinions. I try to do my best for this football club, to defend it, to promote it, to play with the passion I believe the game has to be played with. There are moments - it is not the way I behaved against West Ham, every game is special. Every manager behaves differently regarding the circumstances. You cannot take the context out of a situation - I don’t think that is fair. That’s me! Whether I am here or on the pitch, that’s me - the good and the bad!”

Asked if he thought his actions influence his team, he said: “That’s not for me to say. I hear a lot of times that this team is the mirror of the coach, or the passion - I don’t know.”

Arteta would also not be drawn on whether he would modify his behaviour after it became a topic of discussion.

He continued: "I will always try to be better. Whatever I do, if it is tomorrow or the next day, is to make the club stronger, my players better, play better and win. So if I have to do something, I will do it. If I have to change something, believe me, I will look in the mirror at myself and I will change it very quickly.

“It’s different now. I remember a lot of managers, I had one in particular who was incredible but it’s different. There are moments. One man is not the same 20 years later because of the circumstances, not just the age.”

He also stated he was not aware of any criticism, but accepted it may be useful.

Arteta said: “To be fair I have not read it. Is the criticism negative or positive, because criticism is not always negative, it can be very positive.”

Arsenal travel to Oxford United on Monday evening for their FA Cup third round tie.