“I snubbed Arteta’s handshake after the final whistle because….” – Aston Villa Boss Unai Emery revealed the ONE reason why he snubbed Arteta’s handshake despite beating him and his club last night

“I snubbed Arteta’s handshake after the final whistle because….” – Aston Villa Boss Unai Emery revealed the ONE reason why he snubbed Arteta’s handshake despite beating him and his club last night

Aston Villa’s manager, Unai Emery, made headlines after not exchanging handshakes with any members of the Arsenal coaching team following Saturday night’s significant 1-0 victory. Emery clarified that the absence of Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was the reason for this gesture, emphasizing that there were no underlying issues between the two clubs.

Despite being banned from the touchline due to a recent FA charge, Arteta could only witness the match from the executive boxes as Villa secured the win with an early first-half goal from midfielder John McGinn. Emery, who spent 18 months as Arsenal’s manager before his dismissal in November 2019, explained post-match that the lack of a handshake was solely because Arteta wasn’t present on the bench.

Speaking about the situation, Emery said, “No, because Arteta wasn’t on the bench. I gave my hand to the workers inside because they were there when I was there, but only with the people I coached with and who worked with me.” He was keen to emphasize that the decision was not personal, expressing respect for Arsenal, Arteta, and the entire coaching staff.

In the absence of Arteta, who left the stands just before the final whistle, Emery chose to celebrate the victory with the fans at the final whistle. Despite Villa’s recent impressive victories, including a notable win against Manchester City, Emery remained cautious about entertaining title talks.

Emery, during a post-match interview with Sky Sports, stated, “I will speak again when we are in game 30 to 32 and if we are in the same position as now then maybe I can speak about it. At the start, we are not a contender, it is only game 16. We are in [the top four] and must try to keep it.” This cautious approach reflects Emery’s focus on the long-term and maintaining consistency throughout the season.

The match-winner, John McGinn, echoed Emery’s sentiments by downplaying title aspirations, stating, “I’m banning the T-word. It’s game week 16 so there’s a long way to go. We respect everyone round about us who have been in this position for years. We’re newbies – if we can keep it up, we’ll see.” McGinn’s acknowledgment of the long season ahead and respect for more established teams highlights Villa’s grounded approach despite their recent success.