Emery denies snubbing Arteta after Aston Villa loss to Arsenal - ESPN

LONDON — Unai Emery rejected claims that he snubbed Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta after the full-time whistle in Aston Villa's clash with the Premier League leaders at the Emirates Stadium.

Villa's 11-game winning streak was snapped Tuesday night, with Arsenal running rampant to win 4-1 on the back of a barnstorming second half.

Four second-half goals from Gabriel Magalhães, Martín Zubimendi, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus saw the Gunners open up a five-point lead at the top of the table. Ollie Watkins grabbed a goal back in added time, but Villa's fate had long been sealed by then.

The incident in question took place soon after the game ended, when Emery was seen quickly rushing down the tunnel without shaking hands with Arteta as is customary between managers at full time.

When questioned about the apparent snub, Emery adamantly explained: «Yes, but it's simple. You can watch. After [finishing] the match, always my routine is quick, shake hands and go with my coaches, with my players, or go to the dressing room.

»And I was waiting, I was waiting. Of course, he was happy and he was with his coaches and I decided to go inside. But for me, no problem."

While Arteta was seen waiting for Emery by the touchline after the match, he said the lack of a handshake wasn't an issue.

«No, that's OK. That's part of the game, not an issue at all,» the Arsenal manager told a news conference.

Emery also hadn't shaken hands with Arteta following his side's win over Arsenal in December 2023.

The loss at the Emirates leaves Villa in third place, six points adrift of leaders Arsenal. Despite the manner of defeat, Emery took encouragement from his side's showing. It was comfortably the better side in the first half and could have easily gone