Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was accused of insulting Sergio Conceicao after Champions League victory at Emirates.
The Premier League side ended a 14-year wait as they edged Porto in the shootout and advanced to the Champions League quarter-final.
However, the incredible milestone was not without drama. Porto’s boss claimed that Arteta brought his family into the war of words.
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Arsenal’s Arteta accused of insulting Conceicao’s family
Porto boss Sergio Conceicao said that the Spanish tactician Arteta insulted his family in the loss to the Gunners in the Champions League last 16.
The Gunners advanced to the quarter-finals after a 4-2 penalty shootout victory, thanks to two saves from David Raya.
“What Arteta said, towards the bench in Spanish, he insulted my family,” Conceicao said in the news conference.
Arsenal club sources have said that Arteta denies the accusations, but tensions could be seen and heard on the pitch after the game ended.
After the final whistle, the two managers appeared to have an intense discussion on the pitch before being separated.
“He should focus on training his team,” said Conceicao. “The result was injust. The team deserved to go through.”
Before Conceicao’s comments, Arteta was asked about the confrontation at the end and said: “No comment. Thank you very much.”
The Portuguese manager is no stranger to such drama, having publicly accused Man City boss Pep Guardiola of being “unpleasant” and using “ugly words” during a defeat to Manchester City in the Champions League.
Arsenal 1-0 Porto (4-2 on penalties) Highlights
The first leg in Portugal saw Porto win 1-0. Still, Leandro Trossard’s goal in the 41st minute at Emirates Stadium leveled the tie, sending it to extra time and penalties.
Raya’s two saves helped Arsenal reach the quarter-finals of the tournament for the first time in 14 years. The last-eight draw will take place on Friday.
More on the game highlights can be read here.
