Fuming Porto manager accuses Arteta of insulting his FAMILY after clashing on pitch as he slams Arsenal win as ‘unjust’
MIKEL ARTETA was accused of insulting Porto manager Sergio Conceicao’s family as Arsenal’s Champions League triumph turned ugly at full-time.
The Gunners had lost their last SEVEN last-16 ties on the spin since beating Porto in 2010 – but ended that 14-year hoodoo with a penalty shoot-out victory to reach the quarter finals.
David Raya saved two spot-kicks from Wendall and Galeno, while Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice all scored from 12 yards.
Leandro Trossard had initially levelled the tie with a goal in the first half, only for the contest to turn into a slog-fest as Odegaard had a second half strike ruled out for a foul in the build-up.
Arsenal celebrated the shoot-out deliriously, and the dramatic victory sparked an on-field spat between Arteta and Conceicao.
The pair appeared to embrace each other but Conceicao began remonstrating with Arteta and waggling his finger at him before they separated. Arteta looked unimpressed with what was said.
Trossard and Nico Gonzalez also had a flare up before Arsenal defender Gabriel waded in.
Arteta and Oleksandr Zinchenko then pulled the Gunners players away to continue celebrating.
Both Arteta and Conceicao were both booked during the match for complaining to the officials, and there was tension between both technical areas throughout.
In the post-match press conference, Arteta refused to comment on what had been said between the two coaches, but Conceicao spoke out.
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Conceicao said: “The result was unjust. We deserved to go through.
“During the game and towards the bench he, in Spanish, I don’t know if this is to do with Spanish managers, he insulted my family.
“And then at the end, I said attention, who he insults is not between us, he should focus on training his team because they have a lot of individual qualities to do that.”
SunSport understands that Arteta strongly denies the allegations.
SunSport have also approached Porto regarding whether they will complain to Uefa regarding Conceicao’s allegations.
Conceicao has history with accusing managers of insulting him when competing in Europe.
In October 2020, in a Champions League group stage clash with Manchester City, Conceicao suggested Pep Guardiola was “unpleasant” and offensive towards Portugal.
Conceicao said: “I’ve got a lot to learn from Pep Guardiola, in the way he pressures referees, talks to opposition players and opposition dugout.
“I have to learn this. We were angels compared to the other dugout. He spoke about our country using ugly words. Guardiola’s attitude was extremely unpleasant.”
And in April 2021, after a Champions League quarter final against Chelsea, Conceicao said of then-Blues boss Thomas Tuchel: “I was insulted by this man who is next door.
“I told the referee that the fourth referee heard the insults. My English is not perfect. I was focused on the game. I don’t know why he reacted.
“I heard some insults, but it’s gone … it’s not pretty and my irritation in the end had to do with it. I didn’t even speak to him.”
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