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Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has explained why he snubbed a handshake with the Arsenal bench following Saturday’s win. The Spaniard insists the absence of Mikel Arteta was behind his decision not to seek out the Gunners staff.<\/p>\n
John McGinn’s first-half goal was enough for Villa to see off Arsenal and extend their winning run at home. Emery’s side have now won their last 15 top-flight matches at Villa Park.<\/p>\n
Emery got one over the club that sacked him four years ago after just 18 months in charge. Villa put a dent in Arsenal’s title challenge and increased hopes of themselves pulling off a football miracle this season.<\/p>\n
Arteta watched the match from the directors’ box after picking up a third yellow card of the campaign in Tuesday’s late win at Luton. Gunners assistant Albert Stuivenberg was in charge on the touchline.<\/p>\n
Read more… <\/strong> Nicolas Jackson dragged down the tunnel as temper boils over after Everton loss<\/strong><\/p>\n But Emery didn’t seek out the Dutchman or the rest of his staff at the final whistle. He claimed Arteta’s absence was the reason he snubbed a handshake.<\/p>\n When asked about handshakes, Emery said: “No, because Arteta wasn’t on the bench. I gave my hand to the workers inside because they were there when I was there, but only with the people I coached with and who worked with me.<\/p>\n “There was nothing personal. It was because it wasn’t Arteta. I respect a lot Arsenal and Arteta. I respect a lot the workers there. I have nothing negative against them.”<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/67\/590x\/secondary\/Arsenal-news-Unai-Emery-handshake-Aston-Villa-5108331.jpg?r=1702231672822\")
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