” I didn’t sit ……” Mikel Arteta sends strong message to Lisandro Martinez after his tackle almost got Saka injured

Mikel Arteta shares what he told Lisandro Martinez after Arsenal v Manchester United

Mikel Arteta has shared that both he and Lisandro Martinez wished each other ‘good luck’ after Arsenal’s pre-season clash against Manchester United on Sunday.

Even though it is a pre-season match, it still sparked controversy because of Lisandro Martinez’s tackle on Bukayo Saka – Arteta shared his comments at the time.

But the Arsenal boss has now come out and stated that he knows the Manchester United defender ‘personally’ and that’s why they hugged one another, as he told his pre-match press conference ahead of Arsenal v Barcelona.

For Arsenal fans, they weren’t too happy with Martinez’s actions during the game and his ultra-aggressive style.

Everyone knows that’s his style. They don’t call him ‘The Butcher’ for nothing. But it didn’t sit right with some that it happened during a friendly game.

Either way, this is what Mikel Arteta had to say at his press conference on Tuesday about Martinez.

Arsenal v Manchester United – Pre-Season Friendly

Photo by Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images
“I was just happy to see him,” said Arteta. “I know him personally. I was happy to see him back after the injury and that’s it.

“Football is about the people that we know. We wished each other good luck for the season, and that’s it. It was a good and competitive game for us.”

mikel arteta
Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Arsenal v Manchester United ahead of the new season
You can feel it bubbling up. The tension and heat is building ahead of the forthcoming Premier League season.

There are big expectations for both clubs, who will be looking to push for the Premier League title ahead of the new campaign and try to add trophies to their cabinet.

Erik ten Hag’s side did that last season. That’s why some questioned if they had a better campaign than Arsenal.

Either way, how both juggle playing in the Champions League and compete in the Premier League will also be very, very crucial.

MORE: Celtic star comments on his future amid Tottenham rumours

Mikel Arteta shares what he told Lisandro Martinez after Arsenal v Manchester United

Mikel Arteta has shared that both he and Lisandro Martinez wished each other ‘good luck’ after Arsenal’s pre-season clash against Manchester United on Sunday.

Even though it is a pre-season match, it still sparked controversy because of Lisandro Martinez’s tackle on Bukayo Saka – Arteta shared his comments at the time.

But the Arsenal boss has now come out and stated that he knows the Manchester United defender ‘personally’ and that’s why they hugged one another, as he told his pre-match press conference ahead of Arsenal v Barcelona.

For Arsenal fans, they weren’t too happy with Martinez’s actions during the game and his ultra-aggressive style.

Everyone knows that’s his style. They don’t call him ‘The Butcher’ for nothing. But it didn’t sit right with some that it happened during a friendly game.

Either way, this is what Mikel Arteta had to say at his press conference on Tuesday about Martinez.

Arsenal v Manchester United – Pre-Season Friendly

Photo by Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images
“I was just happy to see him,” said Arteta. “I know him personally. I was happy to see him back after the injury and that’s it.

“Football is about the people that we know. We wished each other good luck for the season, and that’s it. It was a good and competitive game for us.”

mikel arteta
Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Arsenal v Manchester United ahead of the new season
You can feel it bubbling up. The tension and heat is building ahead of the forthcoming Premier League season.

There are big expectations for both clubs, who will be looking to push for the Premier League title ahead of the new campaign and try to add trophies to their cabinet.

Erik ten Hag’s side did that last season. That’s why some questioned if they had a better campaign than Arsenal.

Either way, how both juggle playing in the Champions League and compete in the Premier League will also be very, very crucial.

MORE: Celtic star comments on his future amid Tottenham rumours