{"id":8621,"date":"2026-05-07T13:58:48","date_gmt":"2026-05-07T13:58:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/?p=8621"},"modified":"2026-05-07T13:58:48","modified_gmt":"2026-05-07T13:58:48","slug":"espn-presenter-makes-statement-after-claim-he-wanted-to-punch-mikel-arteta-in-the-face-football","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/?p=8621","title":{"rendered":"ESPN presenter makes statement after claim he wanted to &#8216;punch Mikel Arteta in the face&#8217; | Football"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <div style=\"display: grid; grid-template-columns: 300px 160px; gap: 2px; width: 460px; background: #eee; padding: 2px;\">\r\n\r\n  <!-- \u6574\u884c\u5bbd\u5e7f\u544a -->\r\n  <div style=\"grid-column: 1\/-1; width: 460px; height: 250px; background: #ccc; display: grid; place-items: center;\">\r\n  <script async type=\"application\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/a.magsrv.com\/ad-provider.js\"><\/script> \r\n <ins class=\"eas6a97888e2\" data-zoneid=\"5876674\"><\/ins> \r\n <script>(AdProvider = window.AdProvider || []).push({\"serve\": {}});<\/script>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div style=\"grid-column: 1\/-1; width: 460px; height: 90px; background: #ccc; display: grid; place-items: center;\">\r\n  <script async type=\"application\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/a.magsrv.com\/ad-provider.js\"><\/script> \r\n <ins class=\"eas6a97888e2\" data-zoneid=\"5876676\"><\/ins> \r\n <script>(AdProvider = window.AdProvider || []).push({\"serve\": {}});<\/script>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n\r\n  <!-- \u5de6\u4fa7\u7ad6\u6392 -->\r\n  <div style=\"height: 250px; background: #ccc; display: grid; place-items: center;\">\r\n  <script async type=\"application\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/a.magsrv.com\/ad-provider.js\"><\/script> \r\n <ins class=\"eas6a97888e2\" data-zoneid=\"5876672\"><\/ins> \r\n <script>(AdProvider = window.AdProvider || []).push({\"serve\": {}});<\/script>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div style=\"height: 500px; background: #ccc; display: grid; place-items: center;\">\r\n  <script async type=\"application\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/a.magsrv.com\/ad-provider.js\"><\/script> \r\n <ins class=\"eas6a97888e2\" data-zoneid=\"5876680\"><\/ins> \r\n <script>(AdProvider = window.AdProvider || []).push({\"serve\": {}});<\/script>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n\r\n  <!-- \u53f3\u4fa7\u6469\u5929\u697c\uff08\u548c\u5de6\u4fa7\u5b8c\u5168\u5bf9\u9f50\uff09 -->\r\n  <div style=\"grid-row: 3\/5; height: 750px; background: #ccc; display: grid; place-items: center;\">\r\n  <script async type=\"application\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/a.magsrv.com\/ad-provider.js\"><\/script> \r\n <ins class=\"eas6a97888e2\" data-zoneid=\"5876678\"><\/ins> \r\n <script>(AdProvider = window.AdProvider || []).push({\"serve\": {}});<\/script>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  \r\n  <script async type=\"application\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/a.magsrv.com\/ad-provider.js\"><\/script> \r\n <ins class=\"eas6a97888e6\" data-zoneid=\"5876682\"><\/ins> \r\n <script>(AdProvider = window.AdProvider || []).push({\"serve\": {}});<\/script>\r\n<\/div><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" width=\"646\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-7111.png?w=646\" class=\"article-image wp-image-28273210\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"sync\"\/>\t<\/div><figcaption>Dan Thomas took a dim view of Mikel Arteta\u2019s touchline antics against Atletico Madrid (Picture: ESPN FC)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>ESPN FC presenter Dan Thomas has issued a groveling apology after claiming Mikel Arteta\u2019s touchline antics had him wanting to punch the Arsenal manager in the face. <\/p>\n<p>The Gunners booked their place in the Champions League final later this month after a narrow win against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday night thanks to Bukayo Saka\u2019s goal on the stroke of half-time. <\/p>\n<p>Rather than celebrate a fine and historic achievement, Thomas opted instead to aim his ire at Arteta who was an animated figure throughout andconstantly left his technical area to bark instructions at his players. <\/p>\n<p>\u2018At what stage, as the opposition coach, do you want to punch Arteta in the face? How much does that annoy you?\u2019 Thomas said.<\/p>\n<p>Former Chelsea midfielder Craig Burley looked slight taken aback by the comments made by the show\u2019s host and replied: Hold on, the two of them are as bad as each other.\u201d But Thomas replied: \u2018I thought, today, Arteta out-Simeoned, Simeone. <\/p>\n<p>\u2018The way he was running around at the end. It\u2019s got to be frustrating, hasn\u2019t it, as an opposition coach?\u2019<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube\">\n<p>\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe title=\"Dan Thomas clarifies comments about Mikel Arteta after UCL Semifinal | ESPN FC\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/LQBXsXP7_wY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<p>Fellow panelist Stewart Robson, who made 150 top flight appearances for Arsenal but is a notorious critic of his former club, appeared to agree with Thomas\u2019 sentiments.<\/p>\n<p>He said: \u2018What is a coach on the side of the pitch supposed to do? He\u2019s meant to coach the game, he\u2019s meant to give instructions,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018All Arteta does, I think he\u2019s doing it for himself: \u2018Look at me, I\u2019m great, I run this club, I do this, I do that\u2026 It\u2019s just absolutely pathetic.\u2019 <\/p>\n<p>Robson then claimed that he would have deliberately gone after Arteta if he was on the pitch, adding: \u2018If I was running down the side, I\u2019d make sure I actually topped him. I\u2019d tackle the ball and tackle him at the same time.\u2019<\/p>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img width=\"594\" height=\"396\" src=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/GettyImages-2274801947.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=594\" class=\"article-image wp-image-28274746\" alt=\"Arsenal FC v Atletico de Madrid - UEFA Champions League 2025\/26 Semi Final Second Leg\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>\t<\/div><figcaption>Mikel Arteta celebrated Arsenal\u2019s win over Atletico Madrid (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Thomas subsequently faced a huge online backlash from Arsenal fans which forced him into making an apology on last night\u2019s show which followed PSG\u2019s win over Bayern Munich.<\/p>\n<p>He said: \u2018I just want to make reference to something I said yesterday, an off-hand comment that landed literally. <\/p>\n<p>\u2018Obviously, it was not intended to land that way. I\u2019ve thought about it today and I could have phrased it in such a better way. <\/p>\n<p>\u2018So, going forward I will definitely try not to say anything silly.\u2019<\/p>\n<section id=\"share-buttons-bottom\" class=\"share-buttons share-buttons-bottom\">\n\t\t\t<span><svg><title>Comment now<\/title>\n<use xlink:href=\"#social-comment\" href=\"#social-comment\"\/><\/svg><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"share-bar-comments__label\">Comments<\/span><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t<span><svg><title>Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google<\/title>\n<use xlink:href=\"#social-preferred-source\" href=\"#social-preferred-source\"\/><\/svg><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"share-bar-preferred-source__label\">Add as preferred source<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t<\/section>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><!-- \u603b\u5bb9\u5668\uff1a\u6700\u5927\u5bbd908px Grid\u7d27\u51d1\u5e03\u5c40 -->\r\n<div style=\"display: grid; grid-template-columns: 728px 160px; gap:2px; width:908px; background:#eee; padding:2px;\">\r\n\r\n  <!-- \u901a\u680f\u9876\u90e8\uff1a\u6700\u5927\u6a2a\u5e45 908x258 \u8de8\u6574\u884c -->\r\n  <div style=\"grid-column:1\/-1; 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display:grid; place-items:center;\">\r\n\t\r\n<!-- JuicyAds v3.0 -->\r\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" data-cfasync=\"false\" async src=\"https:\/\/poweredby.jads.co\/js\/jads.js\"><\/script>\r\n<ins id=\"1114303\" data-width=\"125\" data-height=\"125\"><\/ins>\r\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" data-cfasync=\"false\" async>(adsbyjuicy = window.adsbyjuicy || []).push({'adzone':1114303});<\/script>\r\n<!--JuicyAds END-->\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n\r\n  <!-- \u53f3\u4fa7\u7ad6\u680f\uff1a160\u00d7600 \u6574\u5217\u9ad8\u5e7f\u544a -->\r\n  <div style=\"grid-row:3\/8; height:600px;  display:grid; place-items:center;\">\r\n    <!-- JuicyAds v3.0 -->\r\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" data-cfasync=\"false\" async src=\"https:\/\/poweredby.jads.co\/js\/jads.js\"><\/script>\r\n<ins id=\"1114301\" data-width=\"160\" data-height=\"600\"><\/ins>\r\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" data-cfasync=\"false\" async>(adsbyjuicy = window.adsbyjuicy || []).push({'adzone':1114301});<\/script>\r\n<!--JuicyAds END-->\r\n  <\/div>\r\n\r\n<\/div><br \/>\n<br \/> ESPN presenter makes statement after claim he wanted to &#8216;punch Mikel Arteta in the face&#8217; | Football<br \/>\n<br \/>#ESPN #presenter #statement #claim #wanted #punch #Mikel #Arteta #face #Football<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Dan Thomas took a dim view of Mikel Arteta\u2019s touchline antics against Atletico Madrid (Picture:&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8622,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[1162,1459,9009,372,317,1161,3157,9010,3342,1240],"class_list":["post-8621","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sports","tag-arteta","tag-claim","tag-espn","tag-face","tag-football","tag-mikel","tag-presenter","tag-punch","tag-statement","tag-wanted"],"featured_image_urls":{"full":["https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-7111_1778161094.png",1200,630,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-7111_1778161094-150x150.png",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-7111_1778161094-300x158.png",300,158,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-7111_1778161094-768x403.png",640,336,true],"large":["https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-7111_1778161094-1024x538.png",640,336,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-7111_1778161094.png",1200,630,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-7111_1778161094.png",1200,630,false],"covernews-slider-full":["https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-7111_1778161094-1115x630.png",1115,630,true],"covernews-slider-center":["https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-7111_1778161094-800x500.png",800,500,true],"covernews-featured":["https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-7111_1778161094-1024x538.png",1024,538,true],"covernews-medium":["https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-7111_1778161094-540x340.png",540,340,true],"covernews-medium-square":["https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-7111_1778161094-400x250.png",400,250,true]},"author_info":{"display_name":"admin","author_link":"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/?author=1"},"category_info":"<a href=\"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/?cat=6\" rel=\"category\">Sports<\/a>","tag_info":"Sports","comment_count":"0","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8621","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=8621"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8621\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/8622"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=8621"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=8621"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=8621"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}