Mikel Arteta ‘on mute’ over referee decisions as Arsenal boss says there is ‘no excuse’ for Aston Villa defeat

At points during the game, Arteta seemed angry with the officials and he spoke to them at the full-time whistle too.

Arsenal felt aggrieved Ezri Konsa only received a yellow card when he brought down Bukayo Saka in the first-half as the forward raced towards goals.

They were also upset when referee Chris Kavanagh gave a free-kick to Aston Villa – and not a penalty to Arsenal – when Emi Martinez and Alexandre Lacazette tangled in the box.

But asked to reveal what he said to the officials at full-time, Arteta said: “I keep that between me and them.”

When pressed if he was unhappy with some decisions, he added: “I prefer to stay on mute.”

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Arteta, however, did admit that Arsenal could not use any refereeing decisions as an excuse for defeat.

“As you could see me, I was really animated for a few decisions and one big decision, that I will not discuss here as well what happened,” he said.

“But it is what it is. It is not an excuse. Regardless of those decisions we have to win the game. It is as simple as that.”