Mikel Arteta and Antonio Conte’s contrasting touchline behaviour speaks volumes

Mikel Arteta and Antonio Conte are renowned as two of the Premier League’s most animated managers, but it was the Spaniard who came out on top on Sunday.

Arteta’s Arsenal side moved eight points clear at the top of the Premier League with a convincing win over fierce rivals Tottenham. An own goal from Hugo Lloris and Martin Odegaard ‘s long-range strike were enough to secure the three points for the Gunners.

The game itself showed the stark contrast between the two teams so far this season, particularly in the first-half. Arsenal were full of confidence and controlled the game, with Spurs struggling to match their opponents’ intensity for much of the 90 minutes.

That was also reflected in the behaviour of the two managers on the touchline during the game. Around the hour mark, Granit Xhaka went down under a late challenge from Cristian Romero.

The Switzerland captain stayed down before referee Craig Pawson awarded Arsenal a free-kick for a separate incident. As he got back up, Conte began arguing with the midfielder, with both men shouting at each other.

The Spurs boss also appeared to do a ‘mouth’ gesture towards the Arsenal star as he continued to argue. Ten minutes after that incident, Arteta presented a stark contrast in behaviour.

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Antonio Conte was typically animated on the touchline

As the two sides had a scuffle on the far side, the Arsenal boss called Oleksandr Zinchenko over to him to discuss a tactical change. And following the game, he also dragged both Aaron Ramsdale and Granit Xhaka away from the area where his goalkeeper had been kicked by a Tottenham fan.

Former Arsenal star Paul Merson took aim at Conte at half-time, with Spurs already 2-0 down. Merson labelled Tottenham’s performance in the first-half “embarrassing” as he insisted the blame laid at Conte’s door.

“They’ve been really bad, Arsenal have been great and they’ve had two good chances, or one and a half good chances. For me, you’re talking about one of the greatest managers about in Conte,” he told Sky Sports.

“He hasn’t changed it and let that team go out there and get absolutely ripped to shreds – he had to change it. If I’m being completely honest anyone could go out there and play where Partey is at the moment, no one’s got near him.

“I can’t believe how a manager of that quality has not tried to nip this in the bud – it’s pretty embarrassing. They’ve been absolutely outstanding Arsenal, Tottenham haven’t got near them, this is brilliant.”

Arsenal now have a break of seven days before their next game, in a huge top of the table clash against Manchester United. The Red Devils are the only team who have beaten the Gunners so far in the Premier League this season and currently sit third.

Conte meanwhile now has to reload his team for Thursday’s trip to reigning champions Manchester City. Spurs are now fifth, five points behind United, who currently occupy the final Champions League qualification place.