Former Premier League referee G. Scott: Arteta is the most difficult to deal with

Former Premier League referee G. Scott has named Arsenal manager Arteta as the most difficult person to deal with on the sidelines.

Former Premier League referee G. Scott described Arteta as "difficult to deal with" (Getty)

Former Premier League referee G. Scott has named Arsenal manager Arteta as the most difficult person to deal with on the sidelines.

Last month, Arteta received his second yellow card of the season in Arsenal's 2-0 victory over Everton, but he said after the match that he had evidence of other managers committing similar actions without being penalized.

If Arteta receives another yellow card, the Arsenal manager will face a touchline ban.

G. Scott, who officiated in the Premier League for 10 years before retiring in 2025, believes Arteta "is always pushing the boundaries" and described the Espanyol native as "difficult to deal with."

When asked who was the most difficult manager to deal with on the sidelines, G. Scott told The Athletic: "It's a cliché to say, but they're all equally difficult when they're losing.

"But honestly, I'm afraid it's Arteta. Whatever I say now will attract criticism, but he is indeed the most difficult to deal with.

"He really is always pushing all the boundaries. In many ways, I don't mind that, he's trying to gain a competitive advantage for his team, and that's fine, it's his job. He certainly has that right, decisions are our business, but he does make it very difficult for you.

"He's always leaving his technical area. I recently watched the game against Everton, and every time Everton got the ball near the touchline on his side, he would press along with them, his toes touching the touchline.

"As a fourth official, it's a nightmare, because if you go over to deal with it, you're accused of being pedantic and making a big deal out of nothing. He's been let off too easily. Referees really need to be stricter. I admit, I was one of the people who let him off in the past. But he's just difficult to deal with, really always difficult to deal with, unlike others who only occasionally give you a headache.

"Of course, let's not pretend everyone else is an angel. Some are very restrained, Braiden Graham Potter is an example. He has almost no interaction with you, just very, very calm and quiet. But of course, he sometimes gets criticized for seemingly not caring enough. So I guess it's hard for a manager to satisfy everyone no matter what they do."