Mikel Arteta forced to intervene after Arsenal staff member raged on the touchline in PSG defeat

WATCH NOW: Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta opens up after PSG defeat

Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 30/04/2025

- 08:20

The Gunners lost 1-0 at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was forced to intervene and calm down his animated set-piece coach Nicolas Jover during the closing stages of Tuesday night's 1-0 Champions League semi-final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.

Jover reacted furiously to a late decision when Mikel Merino was penalised for fouling PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma from a corner in stoppage time.


The incident was the latest example of Jover's passionate touchline behaviour since joining the Gunners in 2021.

Arsenal were appearing in their first Champions League semi-final in 16 years, with the North London side falling behind early to an Ousmane Dembele strike.

Arsenal PSG

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was forced to intervene and calm down his animated set-piece coach Nicolas Jover during the closing stages of Tuesday night's 1-0 Champions League semi-final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain

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The Gunners thought they had equalised early in the second half when Mikel Merino headed home from Declan Rice's free-kick.

However, after a three-minute VAR review, Merino was adjudged to be offside and the goal was disallowed.

Arsenal continued pushing for an equaliser, with set-pieces appearing to be their best route back into the match.

As the match entered stoppage time, Jover's frustration boiled over when Merino was penalised for a foul on Donnarumma.

The set-piece specialist began venting his anger at the fourth official, gesticulating wildly on the touchline.

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Arsenal PSG

Arsenal lost 1-0 to PSG in the Champions League on Tuesday night with Ousmane Dembele finding the net

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Arteta quickly stepped in to prevent his coach from getting into trouble.

The Arsenal manager had a stern word with Jover before physically pushing him back towards the bench.

The final whistle sounded just seconds later, confirming Arsenal's defeat.

Jover has become a notable presence on Arsenal's touchline since joining the club in 2021.

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He is known for his animated instructions during dead-ball situations, standing prominently in the technical area.

Under Jover's guidance, Arsenal have developed into a formidable threat from set-pieces.

However, his passionate touchline behaviour has not been universally appreciated within football circles.

His distinctive coaching style has made him a talking point throughout Arsenal's matches.

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Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville has been particularly critical of Jover's touchline antics.

In December, Neville branded the Arsenal coach "the most annoying bloke in football" during a watchalong.

Fellow Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher also criticised Jover last week following Arsenal's 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace.

Carragher pointed out that Arsenal have conceded the second-highest percentage of goals from corners in the Premier League this season.

Mikel Arteta

Mikel Arteta cut a frustrated figure as Arsenal lost to PSG in the Champions League

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"In terms of percentage, only Man United are worse than Arsenal set piece-wise this season," said Carragher.

He joked that Jover might need his wages cut or Arsenal could require a defensive set-piece coach.

The Gunners now face an uphill battle to reach their first Champions League final since 2006.

They must overturn the one-goal deficit in the return leg at the Emirates Stadium, with PSG strong favourites to progress.