Why Mikel Arteta will serve touchline ban against Aston Villa after Luton booking
- Arsenal secured a dramatic 4-3 victory over Luton Town on Tuesday night
- Why manager Mikel Arteta was booked after Declan Rice's winner
- Gunners boss will now serve one-match touchline ban against Villa
Arsenal supporters might look upon that cold Tuesday night at Kenilworth Road as decisive in their Premier League title charge.
A comfortable Gunners victory was expected against Luton Town, but Rob Edwards' aggressive and resilient outfit gave as good as they got to scare the imposing visitors. A pair of David Raya howlers handed the hosts a 3-2 lead at the start of the second half, but a quick response from Kai Havertz meant it was anyone's game as the contest veered towards its conclusion.
Arsenal once again seemed out of ideas in the final third, but one final cross into the box from Martin Odegaard proved decisive as Declan Rice leapt highest to head home at the death.
Sure, it was only little Luton, but Arsenal's victory was nonetheless significant given what they're trying to achieve this season. There was delirium in the away end, and manager Mikel Arteta couldn't help but get involved.
Why was Mikel Arteta booked vs Luton Town?
"Yeah, I could not be sitting on my seat, unfortunately," Arteta said post-match.
The Spaniard initially didn't know where to turn after Rice's header found the back of the net, jumping around with his coaching staff before tearing down the touchline not quite like Jose Mourinho famously did at Old Trafford all those years ago.
Despite the absence of a knee slide, Arteta's warranted over-celebration earned him a caution.
"So I left there, I had no spatial awareness at all. It was just pure emotion. So if that's a yellow. Okay, it's a yellow."
Why is Mikel Arteta suspended vs Aston Villa?
While players earn one-match suspensions for picking up five yellow cards, managers garner one-match touchline bans if they pick up three cautions.
Erik ten Hag was in the Goodison Park stands after the November international break after picking up his third yellow card and Arteta won't be allowed on the sidelines when Arsenal face Aston Villa at the daunting Villa Park on Saturday evening.
The caution he picked up for over-celebrating at Kenilworth Road was his third of the season.
Arteta is also yet to be disciplined for his outburst after his side's 1-0 defeat at Newcastle.
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