Mikel Arteta spotted barking orders to Arsenal player after Saka’s goal, he did not look happy

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Arsenal played some fine football at Watford today as they eventually saw off the Hornets at Vicarage Road.

The Gunners were 3-1 up early in the second half but a late goal from Mo Sissoko ensured a nervy finish for Mikel Arteta’s side. Alas, they did indeed hold on as goals from Saka, Martinelli and Martin Odegaard proved enough for another big three points.

And while Arteta might have been delighted with the win in the end, he wasn’t exactly the happiest man alive during the game, not least, when Arsenal went 2-1 up through Saka’s fine strike.

Despite Saka firing in from the edge of the box, Arteta was in no mood to celebrate. Instead the cameras picked up on the Arsenal boss quickly summoning Granit Xhaka over to the side of the pitch. From there, Arteta proceeded to bark orders at the Swiss midfielder. Clearly, the Gunners boss had seen something he wasn’t overly keen on.

In the end, whatever Arteta’s message was, it probably proved to be needed. Arsenal saw the game out, despite Sissoko’s late goal, with Xhaka and fellow midfielder Thomas Partey both playing well.

TBR’s View: Arteta A Man Of Immense Detail

We see this with the best managers don’t we. Arteta was quick to get some more instructions on and didn’t commit any time to celebrating the brilliant goal from Saka.

Of course, when he looks back at it he’ll realise what a fine piece of play it was. But in the moment, Arteta clearly felt there was better things to be cracking on with.