Mikel Arteta not interested in Antonio Conte’s comments

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is not interested in a war of words with his Tottenham Hotspur counterpart Antonio Conte.

Conte beat Arteta in the North London Derby earlier in the week to blow the top four race open with the Italian accusing Arteta of ‘complaining a lot’ and ‘should focus more on his team’.

Asked about his reply to the comments ahead of their tie against Newcastle United on Monday, Arteta said: “I am fully focused on Newcastle. We have a huge game to play on Monday against Newcastle and full focus on energy is just on that.”

“That game (North London Derby) was lost and we were disappointed but now I just look forward. We all know everything that we’ve been sort of through throughout the season and how we have had to fight to be in this position.

? “I am fully focused on Newcastle.”

Mikel Arteta’s response to Antonio Conte. pic.twitter.com/5bCjzG4KIa https://t.co/332Y8kj0Fa

— Connor Humm (@TikiTakaConnor) May 14, 2022

“I am (lucky) to have them, how they stand (up to pressure) under any difficulty, how much they are looking forward to play on Monday, how excited they are about the challenge ahead.”

While Arsenal are still fourth, they are just one point above Spurs who have a date against Burnley and already relegated Norwich in their two remaining games.