09 December 2023 , 22:58
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Unai Emery revealed he didn't shake hands with any members of the Arsenal coaching team after Aston Villa 's huge 1-0 win because Mikel Arteta was absent.
The Gunners manager was banned from the touchline for Saturday night's match at Villa Park following a recent FA charge and could only watch on from the executive boxes above as his side succumbed to an early first-half strike from midfielder John McGinn.
Emery spent 18 months in the Arsenal hotseat before he was sacked in November 2019 and was eventually replaced by Arteta. He said post-match that he didn't shake hands with Arsenal's coaching staff in the absence of Arteta - who swiftly left the stands just before the final whistle - but insisted there was no ill-feeling between the two benches.
Emery, who instead soaked in the celebrations with fans at the final whistle, was asked about handshakes and explained: "No, because Arteta wasn't on the bench. 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."
He continued: "There was nothing personal. It was because it wasn't Arteta. I respect a lot Arsenal and Arteta. I respect a lot the workers there. I have nothing negative against them."
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Villa's big win against Arsenal comes just days after Emery's side beat Premier League champions Manchester City in style. They are now just two points off the summit themselves, sparking suggestions they could challenge for the title in the coming months.
Join the debate! Do you think Aston Villa are in the title race after beating Arsenal? Let us know here.
Unai Emery didn't shake hands following Aston Villa's 1-0 win over Arsenal (Aston Villa FC)Emery was reluctant to entertain such talk, though. He told Sky Sports post-match: "I will speak again when we are in game 30 to 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."
Match-winner John McGinn also cooled title talk, insisting that he was going to "ban the T-word" after plundering his sixth goal of the season. He added: "I'm banning the T-word. It's game week 16 so there's a long way to go.
"We respect everyone round about us who have been in this position for years. We're newbies - if we can keep it up, we'll see."