Porto boss accuses Arteta of vicious insult as he continues war with Prem managers

MIKEL ARTETA was accused of insulting the family of Porto manager Sergio Conceicao as Arsenal’s Champions League win turned ugly at full-time level.

The Gunners had lost their last SEVEN last 16 matches since beating Porto in 2010, but ended that 14-year hoodoo with a victory on penalties to reach the quarter-finals.

4

David Raya saved two penalties from Wendall and Galeno, while Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice all scored from twelve yards.

Leandro Trossard had initially leveled the score with a first-half goal, but the match turned into a firecracker as Odegaard had a second-half strike disallowed for a foul in the build-up.

Arsenal celebrated the shoot-out wildly, and the dramatic victory sparked an on-pitch row between Arteta and Conceicao.

The pair appeared to embrace but Conceicao began to protest at Arteta and waved his finger at him before they parted ways. Arteta seemed unimpressed by what was said.

Trossard and Nico Gonzalez also had a flare-up before Arsenal defender Gabriel came on.

Arteta and Oleksandr Zinchenko then pulled the Gunners players away to continue celebrating.

Both Arteta and Conceicao were both booked during the match for complaining to the referees, and there was tension between both technical areas throughout.

At the post-match press conference, Arteta refused to comment on what was said between the two coaches, but Conceicao spoke out.

HOW TO GET FREE BETTS ON HORSE RACING

Conceicao said: “The result was unjust. We deserved to continue.

“During the match and towards the bench he insulted my family in Spanish, I don’t know if this has to do with the Spanish managers.

4

4

“And at the end I said: attention, whoever he offends is not between us, he must concentrate on training his team because they have a lot of individual qualities to do that.”

SunSport understands Arteta strongly denies the allegations.

SunSport has also approached Porto asking whether they will complain to UEFA about Conceicao’s allegations.

Conceicao has a history of accusing managers of abusing him during matches in Europe.

In October 2020, Conceicao suggested during a Champions League group stage match against Manchester City that Pep Guardiola was “obnoxious” and insulting towards Portugal.

Conceicao said: “I have a lot to learn from Pep Guardiola, in the way he puts pressure on referees, talks to opponents and the opposition dugout.

“I have to learn this. We were angels compared to the other dugout. He spoke with ugly words about our country. Guardiola’s attitude was extremely unpleasant.”

And in April 2021, after a Champions League quarter-final against Chelsea, Conceicao said of then Blues boss Thomas Tuchel: “I was insulted by this man standing next door.

“I told the referee that the fourth referee had heard the insults. My English is not perfect. I was focused on the game. I don’t know why he responded.

“I heard some insults, but it’s gone… it’s not nice and my irritation ultimately had something to do with it. I haven’t even spoken to him.”

ARSENAL NEWS LIVE: Stay up to date with the latest transfer news from the Emirates