Mikel Arteta reveals what he said to Lisandro Martinez after controversial Arsenal tackle
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has revealed that he harbours no ill feelings towards Lisandro Martinez despite the Manchester United defender's physical approach to Bukayo Saka on Saturday.
United defeated the north Londoners 2-0 in their pre-season friendly in America, with goals from Bruno Fernandes and Jadon Sancho giving Erik ten Hag's side bragging rights in the States. The encounter in New Jersey didn't have the atmosphere of a friendly as plenty of tackles flew in from both sides.
Gunners captain Martin Odegaard was incensed by one Martinez challenge in particular when the Argentine international went straight through Saka in a way that could have been a red card on another day. Arteta was seen talking to the former Ajax centre-back after the full-time whistle but he has now admitted that the conversation was merely a friendly one.
«I was just happy to see him,» the Spaniard said when asked about their chat. «I know him personally and I was happy to see him back after the injury.
»That's it. Football is about the sport, it's about the people we know. We wished each other good luck for the season. That's it. It was a really good competitive game for us."
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Arteta had tried to sign Martinez last year, keen to play the 25-year-old as a left-back, before the player eventually joined Manchester United instead. This summer, the Arsenal manager was able to prise a different Ajax defender away from the Dutch giants, signing Jurrien Timber in a deal worth an initial £34.2million.
Timber's versatility is a huge plus, capable of operating as a right-back or as a centre-half as well.
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