Where is Mikel Arteta? Why Arsenal boss is banned from touchline vs Aston Villa

As well as three potentially precious points, Arsenal's dramatic win at Luton Town on Tuesday had at least one less positive consequence for the Premier League title contenders.

An incident involving boss Mikel Arteta means the Gunners' head coach will not be on the touchline when his players visit Aston Villa in their next top-flight match on Saturday.

Arteta's absence could make Arsenal's challenge even tougher against opponents who have proven their credentials to trouble the established 'big six' this season.

It will also mean Arteta misses out on being in the opposite technical area to his predecessor, fellow Spaniard Unai Emery.

Why won't Arteta be in his usual position for the game at Villa Park? When will he be back in the dugout, and what has he said about the situation? Here's what you need to know.

Arteta celebrated but barely appeared to have left his technical area amid suitably joyous scenes on the visiting bench after club-record signing Declan Rice's 97th-minute winner to give Arsenal a 4-3 win at Kenilworth Road on December 5.

An official seemed to attempt to warn Arteta and he was subsequently booked by referee Samuel Barrott, which will lead to a ban under rules suspending managers once they have collected three yellow cards in a season.

The former Manchester City assistant coach will not be allowed beyond the tunnel at Villa Park and will likely watch the game from the directors' box.

Aside from that, though, Arteta's involvement will be largely unaffected. He will be able to join the squad in the dressing room, including at halftime, and can speak to the media as usual afterwards.

Arteta's first booking of the Premier League season came in Arsenal's second home game, when he argued over a decision made by