MIKEL ARTETA raised one reporter’s eyebrows with a bold claim he made in a live TV interview after Arsenal’s defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.
The Spaniard was adamant his side were the better team over the two legs, despite losing both games in a 3-1 aggregate defeat.
He also suggested PSG had their goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma to thank for the win, saying he was the man of the match in both legs.
But CBS Sports reporter Anita Jones quickly corrected the Arsenal boss live on air, pointing out that Achraf Hakimi had in fact got the award after netting the winner in Paris.
The interview continued awkwardly as the reporter began to press Arteta further.
The Gunners chief repeated the claims he made in his post-match press conference that coaches on the opposition bench had admitted Arsenal were the better team, which PSG boss Luis Enrique later denied.
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And Jones was quick to quiz Arteta on who it was he had spoken to.
She asked: “Who did you speak to sorry?”
A surprised Arteta dodged the question, instead explaining why his team lost, suggesting they did not have enough quality in the attacking box.
Jones again asked: “Who was it that you spoke to?”
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“A few people of them,” replied Arteta.
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Jones then said wryly: “Oh and they shared that opinion.”
Fans love the exchange and the no-nonsense approach from the reporter.
On reacted saying: “Damn, she’s savage.”
Another added: “That woman has more balls interviewing him than any other interviewer, fair play to her for sticking it to him.”
And a third wrote: “This is comedy gold. The way she pushes him and you just can see how he is straight up lying.”
Arteta also made the claim Arsenal have been the best team in this year’s Champions League.
He said: “I don’t think there has been a better team in the competition so far.
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“But we are out tonight and we deserve much more in both games.
“But this competition is about the boxes, the strikers and a goalkeeper, who was their best player in both games.”
