News of Bahrain
Sports1 January 20262 min read

Emery defends failure to shake hands with Arteta after Villa loss to Arsenal

Unai Emery said his failure to shake hands with opposing manager Mikel Arteta was because it was "cold" at the Emirates following his Aston Villa side's thumping 4-1 loss to Premier League leaders Arsenal. It was an emphatic end to Vi

Editorial Team Legacy

Published 1 January 2026, 8:00 · Updated 18:15

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Emery defends failure to shake hands with Arteta after Villa loss to Arsenal

AFP | London

Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

Unai Emery said his failure to shake hands with opposing manager Mikel Arteta was because it was “cold” at the Emirates following his Aston Villa side’s thumping 4-1 loss to Premier League leaders Arsenal.

It was an emphatic end to Villa’s club record-equalling 11-match winning streak.

At the final whistle, Arsenal manager Arteta, who succeeded Emery as Gunners boss, shared a brief embrace with his backroom staff before going to the opposing dugout to greet his fellow Spaniard.

But Emery had already made his way down the tunnel following a handshake with fourth official Thomas Kirk.

“It is simple,” said Emery when asked about what had had happened.

“You can watch. After I finish the match, my routine is always quick, I shake hands, and I go with my coaches, with my players to the dressing room.

“I was waiting, I was waiting. He (Arteta) was happy, of course he was happy. He was with his coaches. And I decided to go inside. But for me it is no problem.”

Emery later told Sky Sports: “Always my routine is go to the opposition coach, shake hands and go inside. If he is not doing the same rule, I can’t wait… it was cold.”

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