Arteta Wants Arsenal To Keep Emotions In Check In North London Derby
Mikel Arteta accepts Arsenal need to keep their emotions in check when they face Tottenham Hotspurs in the North London Derby on Sunday.
The Premier League leaders have been charged with two counts of failing to control their players this week.
The first was in the Premier League against Newcastle United a week prior, which has landed the club a £40,000 fine from the FA while the second occured against Oxford United in the FA Cup on Monday.
Another fiery encounter is expected against Antonio Conte's men on Sunday and Arteta wants his side to maintain level headedness.
"I care a lot about the reputation of the club, especially. Mine, I cannot control. I am who I am," he said.
"I try to do my best to defend the players, to defend the club and that comes down to certain people who won't like it. For sure, if everybody would like it, it wouldn't be very good.
"It's not that I don't care. But I care a lot more, especially when I'm doing my job. When I'm sitting at home, I care about what my wife thinks and what people think but you don't see it.
"But when I'm in the public eye, I care a lot [about] what can we do the best for the club and the best to defend the players. And this is my role as well.
"I agree that we have to control what we can control and there are certain things that we can do better.
"That's what big teams do, and the next one it's over, and you can draw or lose and it can mean very different circumstances.
"You haven't played when, the opponent was better than you, get a wrong decision, you didn't finalise the action the way you should, and someone make an error. But the next game has to be over.
"And hopefully, we have learned and we will try to do that. But in this league, there is no guarantee because the next game is going to be competitive and the next one. So, you have to earn it."
