Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta makes feelings clear on Unai Emery behaviour after 'classless' claims

Aston Villa were thrashed 4-1 by Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, with Unai Emery clarifying the reason the customary post-match handshake with Mikel Arteta didn't happen

Unai Emery has revealed that he didn't immediately shake hands with Mikel Arteta following Aston Villa's loss at the Emirates Stadium because the Arsenal manager kept him waiting.

The reverse represented Villa's first setback in almost two months, bringing an extraordinary 11-match winning streak to an end.

Villa frustrated the Gunners effectively during the opening 45 minutes but conceded early in the second period when Gabriel got ahead of Emi Martinez from a corner kick.

Martin Zubimendi then extended Arsenal's advantage moments later, before Leandro Trossard netted a third goal after the hour mark.

Shortly after his introduction, Gabriel Jesus made it 4-0, though Ollie Watkins managed a late consolation, converting from close range following excellent build-up play from Donyell Malen.

Following the final whistle, it is said that Emery lingered to exchange handshakes with Arteta but ultimately made his way to the changing room as his opposite number continued celebrating with his coaching staff.

On the incident, Arteta said: "You seen it but it's okay, it's all good.

"That's okay, it's part of the game and it's not an issue at all."

When questioned about why he didn't shake Arteta's hand, Emery said: "It is simple, you can watch. Always my routine is quick.

"I shake hands and then go with my players and coaches into the dressing room. I was waiting.

"He [Arteta] was waiting and he was with his coaches. I decided to go inside. For me it is no problem."

Supporters on X were left aghast by the incident after Arsenal maintained their lead at the top of the table.

One account tweeted: "Unai Emery walked straight into the tunnel without shaking Arteta’s hand. But when he won at Villa Park, he was eager to shake it. Pure nonsense."

Another added: "Emery not shaking Arteta’s hand at the end is a joke," while another tweet read "a very classless act by Unai Emery."

Jamie Carragher was a pundit for Sky Sports coverage of the Premier League fixtures on Tuesday and the former Liverpool defender jumped to the defence of Arteta for his conduct.

He said: “You shake hands after a game, if it was the other way around you can imagine what would be being said about Mikel Arteta.

"But what I would say is I think Mikel Arteta handled that really well in the press conference.

"Didn’t make a big deal of it and played it down and rightly so, emotions are running high at the end of the game and he handled it really well all round.”

Discussing the match itself, Emery said: "We competed fantastic in the first half and we had momentum. We had corners and defended well too. We didn't concede a corner in the first half.

"We felt comfortable, but we conceded the first goal in the second half. Onana's injury didn't help us as he is important from set-pieces and in the middle.

"We didn't give up and we competed like we were doing. We were not giving up and we scored one goal and had other chances. Arsenal are the best team in the league and they are the favourite to win the title.

"I don't know if it is the day 19 or 20 because we have played Arsenal twice and then we play Nottingham. But I am happy with we have set our ambitious demands."