Unai Emery downplays missed handshake after Aston Villa suffer heavy defeat at Arsenal
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has dismissed any suggestion of tension after the customary post match handshake with Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta did not take place following Tuesday’s 4 1 loss at the Emirates Stadium, a result that ended Villa’s 11 match winning streak.
Emery was seen heading straight down the tunnel at full time, while Arteta appeared to remain near the touchline.
“After the match, always my routine is quick shake hands and go with my coaches, with my players, or go to the dressing room,” Emery told reporters when asked about his swift departure.
“And I was waiting, and waiting.
“Of course, he was happy and he was with his coaches and I decided to go inside.
“But for me, it’s not a problem,” added Emery, who previously spent 18 months in charge at Arsenal before being dismissed in November 2019.
Arteta also brushed aside the incident and insisted there was nothing to read into it.
“No, that’s OK. That’s part of the game, not an issue at all.”
Despite the defeat, Villa remain third in the table but now sit six points behind league leaders Arsenal. Emery’s side will look to bounce back when they host Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
