Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has claimed that due to the competitive nature of Premier League matches, players and coaches can become overly emotional on occasion.

The Gunners manager received criticism for his touchline altercation with Newcastle boss Eddie Howe on Tuesday.

The two teams played out a 0-0 draw, during which Arteta felt Arsenal were denied two penalties.

Speaking to Premier League Productions, Magpies legend Alan Shearer said: “I think Mikel Arteta needs to have a word with himself, or his assistant needs to have a word with him and calm him down. I think he's disrespectful to the opposition and he's making it very difficult for the referees who have a hard enough job as it is.

“I get he wants to be animated but if his players behaved like him, he wouldn't like it and it would cost him. He needs to calm down. I get they're top of the league and it's a big game, but he's making it very, very difficult for referees and he's disrespecting the opposition."

Arteta responded, “It's a football match. It's very competitive, the way we play, the way they play.

“We are close on the table and it's like this. That's the beauty of this league."