Aston Villa manager Unai Emery played down the absence of the traditional post-match handshake with Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta on Tuesday after his side’s 4-1 defeat at the Emirates Stadium completed their 11-match winning run.
Emery was seen running back to the dressing room after the final whistle, while Arteta appeared to wait on the touchline.
«After the game, my routine is always quick: I shake hands and go with my coaches, with my players, or go to the locker room,» Emery told reporters when asked about his quick departure.
“And I waited and waited.
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“Of course, he was happy and he was with his coaches and I decided to go in.
“But for me it’s not a problem,” added Emery, who spent 18 months in Arsenal’s hotseat before being sacked in November 2019.
Arteta also played down the significance of the missed handshake. «No, that’s okay. That’s part of the game and it’s not a problem at all.»
Third-place Villa are now six points behind leaders Arsenal and next host Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
Published on December 31, 2025
