Antonio Conte’s press conference was earlier today ahead of the North London Derby this weekend & he certainly didn’t hold back when discussing Tottenham’s local rivals.
The Tottenham manager was asked about Arsenal’s consecutive FA charges for improper conduct towards referees during the Newcastle & Oxford games…
Antonio Conte: “To intimidate and create a bad atmosphere is not fair. I hate the people who try to do it. I hate people who intimidate referees.”
Antonio Conte on Arsenal’s consecutive FA charges:
“To intimidate and create a bad atmosphere is not fair. I hate the people who try to do it.”
— now.arsenal (@now_arsenaI) January 13, 2023
Arsenal were recently charged by the FA for surrounding the referee during the first-half of the Oxford Game & previously for the same misconduct against Newcastle United. Antonio Conte says he “hates” that behaviour and the game should be about “respect.”
Mikel Arteta also had to address it during his press conference today however his response was a simple: “I prefer not to comment.”
Ahead of the North London Derby, Mikel Arteta’s side will have to make sure they keep their emotions under control if they want to get a result on Sunday. A Rob Holding red card in the same fixture last year is what cost Arsenal the game and ultimately meant they missed out on a top four place to their North London rivals.
Mikel Arteta will hope another year of experience will allow his team to not make the same mistake again, despite the FA charges in recent weeks.
This isn’t Antonio Conte’s first dig at Arsenal before of a North London Derby. He called out the Arsenal manager ahead of the reverse fixture this season for complaining too much.
The game ended with Arsenal getting all three points and there was only one man complaining come the end of the game.
Stupid, stupid man. #afc pic.twitter.com/OHrOtq5dpo
— now.arsenal (@now_arsenaI) October 3, 2022
Let’s hope for a similar result this time around.
