Mikel Arteta reacts after Roy Keane’s bemusing Arsenal claim

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Mikel Arteta has insisted there is no ‘respect’ issue at Arsenal, after Roy Keane questioned the way Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang referred to his manager.

The Sky Sports pundit took issue with the Gunners captain calling the Spaniard ‘Mikel’ in one of his post-match interviews last weekend.

In Keane’s eyes, players should be using terms such as ‘boss’ or ‘gaffer’.

It was something that sparked a little bit of controversy, with some seeing Keane’s verdict as trivial nit-picking.

Arteta has now commented on Keane’s take, and it’s safe to say the Gunners boss won’t be losing much sleep.

Speaking at his midweek press conference, he said (Mirror): “I was told that Roy mentioned that. I give them the choice to call me whatever they feel comfortable with. With some of them obviously I shared a dressing room.

“For me, I don’t feel disrespected. I understand why he is saying that as a player, but the way I feel with them – and I feel so close with them, with some of them I played with – so for me it is not an issue and it is not the way I would feel respected or disrespected.”

TBR’s View – Arteta clearly commands respect

It is clear to see the improvements Arsenal have made under Arteta.

They’ve got a long way to go, but there is a plan in place and everybody seems to be on the same wavelength.

Under Unai Emery there was a sense of confusion and disarray. Now, things are more cohesive and positive.

You don’t achieve those things if there isn’t a level of respect from the players.

Perhaps Keane was just taking a dig at his old enemy – realistically, all that matters is if Arteta is getting the most out of his players and if results and performances are good.