Mikel Arteta Fires Back at Critics Over Arsenal Celebrations

 Mikel Arteta Fires Back at Critics Over Arsenal Celebrations

Mikel Arteta has once again shown his fiery side after responding to criticism surrounding the way Arsenal celebrated at the end of their recent match.

The Arsenal manager was asked during a media session about comments from critics who felt the Gunners were “over celebrating” after the final whistle. Rather than giving a lengthy explanation, Arteta delivered a sharp response that immediately caught attention online.

When told that some people had criticised Arsenal’s celebrations, Arteta replied:

> “I think you have to respect every opinion and place them where they belong.”

A journalist then followed up by asking:

> “Where do you place them?”

Arteta answered with a cold smile:

> “Where they belong!” 🗑️

The comment quickly went viral among football fans, with many Arsenal supporters praising their manager for defending the team’s passion and mentality. Others saw it as another example of Arteta’s growing confidence as he continues trying to build a winning culture at the club.

In recent seasons, Arsenal have often faced criticism for showing emotion after big victories or important results. Rival fans and pundits have sometimes accused the North London side of celebrating “too much,” especially during intense title races and major European nights.

However, Arteta has consistently defended his players’ emotional reactions, insisting that passion, unity, and belief are essential parts of building a competitive squad. Under his leadership, Arsenal have transformed into one of the most energetic and emotionally connected teams in English football.

Many supporters believe the criticism aimed at Arsenal is unfair, arguing that football is built on emotion and that players should be free to celebrate important moments with fans. Social media was flooded with reactions after Arteta’s latest response, with several fans describing it as “elite mentality” and “proper manager behaviour.”

The Spaniard’s remarks also reflect the growing pressure surrounding Arsenal as expectations continue to rise. With the club competing at the highest level domestically and in Europe, every reaction, celebration, and statement now attracts massive attention.

Despite the outside noise, Arteta appears fully focused on keeping his squad united and motivated. And judging by his latest response, he has little interest in giving energy to critics questioning his team’s passion.