Jose Mourinho has weighed in on the criticism aimed at Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta for his enthusiastic celebrations. Arteta displayed jubilation after Arsenal’s 3-1 victory against Liverpool, openly expressing his emotions at the final whistle. Additionally, Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard was spotted capturing the moment by taking a photo with the club’s photographer, Stuart MacFarlane.
These celebratory scenes led to scrutiny from pundit Jamie Carragher and sparked extensive debate on social media regarding whether Arsenal’s reactions were excessive. Carragher, speaking on Sky Sports, remarked, “Just head down the tunnel. You’ve secured a win, three points, and performed admirably. You’re back in the title race; head down the tunnel. I’m serious, honestly.”
Mourinho has entered the fray, expressing his support for managers’ celebrations. Referencing his iconic quote, “I prefer not to speak,” Mourinho took to Instagram to share his thoughts. Alongside the quote, he posted a collage featuring some of his most memorable celebrations, including his iconic touchline sprint at Old Trafford in 2004 as Porto’s boss.
Among the images were moments where Mourinho silenced critics, such as his gesture towards a TV camera after a Manchester United victory over Tottenham Hotspur in 2017. Another notable celebration depicted Mourinho’s jubilation after Inter Milan defeated Barcelona in the Champions League semi-finals in 2010. In 2018, while managing Manchester United, Mourinho provocatively cupped his ear towards Juventus fans after a Champions League match.
Having recently parted ways with Roma, Mourinho remains a prominent figure in football. Meanwhile, Arteta clarified that he was unaware of the controversy surrounding Arsenal’s celebrations.
Arteta commented, “The club informed me about it today; I wasn’t aware. I’m thrilled by it. I’ve witnessed managers at the Emirates showing raw emotion, even dropping to their knees. Personally, I embrace it because it adds a passionate element to the game when it’s expressed in a genuine and distinctive manner.”