Mikel Arteta has reiterated the need for calm heads when his Arsenal side visit Liverpool on Sunday afternoon - admitting he hopes to avoid a repeat of last season's touchline fracas with Jurgen Klopp.
Arteta was involved in a heated exchange with the Reds boss Klopp during Arsenal's last Premier League visit to Anfield in November 2021. After a slow opening half hour on Merseyside, the Gunners manager whipped the home crowd into a frenzy when he unloaded on his opposite number after a coming together between Sadio Mane and Takehiro Tomiyasu left him furious.
The ferocious reaction of Arteta prompted Klopp to rally the home crowd in search of a reaction. It came just moments after the two bosses had been separated by the fourth official and later booked for their actions. Liverpool went on to win 4-0.
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And speaking at his pre-match press conference at Arsenal's Colney training ground on Friday, Arteta admitted his remorse at the altercation nearly 18 months ago but insisted he has absolute respect for his opposite number.
“I reacted to defend our players the best possible way - but I don’t like seeing myself like this, so hopefully not," said Arteta. “That’s football. It happens in football and after that we hugged each other and moved on.
"The last time we were together nothing happened. I have full respect and admiration for what they’ve done. We’ve moved on.”
On Sunday the Gunners head north looking to strengthen their chances of a first Premier League title since 2004 by recording a first win at Anfield since September 2012, when goals from Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla earned Arsene Wenger's side a 2-0 victory.
While Liverpool find themselves enduring a season to forget after Tuesday's drab goalless affair at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea saw them remain eighth in the Premier League table, they have lost on home soil just once in the league this season and thrashed Manchester United 7-0 during their last outing at Anfield.
But Arteta is hoping recent triumphs at White Hart Lane and Stamford Bridge will have Arsenal in strong stead as they look to end their 11-year Anfield hoodoo.
"We know what we have to do," added the Gunners boss. “We’ve played in the toughest places. We went to White Hart Lane and did what the team did, the atmosphere doesn’t get much tougher than that.”
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