Unai Emery Reveals Reason for Handshake Snub After His Team’s 1-0 Win Over Arsenal, Narrowing Gap with Gunnar’s on the Table.
Arsenal controlled much of the game, especially around halftime, yet struggled to score.
Villa, now trailing the Gunners by just one point in the Premier League standings, witnessed a curious moment at the game’s end.
Emery skipped the usual post-match handshake, opting instead to celebrate with Villa supporters near the touchline.
During the post-match press conference, the ex-Arsenal manager played down his actions, attributing it to Mikel Arteta‘s absence from the dugout.
Emery emphasized that his compatriot had to watch the game from the stands due to a touchline ban.
He said:
‘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.
‘There was nothing personal. It was because it wasn’t Arteta.
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I respect a lot Arsenal and Arteta. I respect a lot the workers there. I have nothing negative against them.’
In Arteta’s absence, assistant Albert Stuivenberg was in the dugout with information relayed down to him from the directors box via coach Carlos Cuesta, who had an earpiece.
On his side’s performance against Arsenal, Emery said:
‘I’m very happy. It was a tough match and we were tired, but we started the game well.
They were imposing their position on the pitch, but our goalkeeper was amazing.
‘We tried to defend and keep possession longer than we did. We competed and it was a fantastic three points in a tough week.
We have to be happy but also keep balance.’
Asked if Villa are title contenders, he added:
‘I will speak again when we are in game 30 or 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. It is difficult, we are not dominating matches [away from home] like we are here.’
