Mikel Arteta admits he ‘cannot guarantee’ keeping his cool on the touchline… as he returns to Newcastle for the first time since branding Anthony Gordon’s winner against the Gunners a ‘disgrace’ last season

Mikel Arteta believes he has learned from his ‘disgrace’ rant after Arsenal’s controversial defeat at Newcastle last season and is mindful of avoiding being banned from the dugout.

Arteta had called the VAR’s decision to allow Anthony Gordon’s winning goal at St James’ Park in November, which went through three separate checks, as ‘embarrassing’ and a ‘disgrace’.

He was charged with misconduct by the FA, but an independent panel found the charge to be not proven after a hearing.

The Spaniard is one of five managers in the Premier League not to have been shown a yellow card this season.

Ahead of Arsenal’s match against Newcastle tomorrow, he said: ‘I don’t want to miss any games, that is for sure. I cannot promise you that if we score a goal I am not going to be jumping up and down the touchline. I cannot guarantee that.

Anthony Gordon scored a controversial winner against Arsenal last season that survived three VAR checks

Arsenal felt the ball went out of play in the build-up, while the goal was also checked for a foul and offside

Mikel Arteta branded the officials’ decision to award the goal a ‘disgrace’, and has admitted he finds it difficult to keep his cool on the touchline, as he prepares to return to Newcastle

‘Hopefully as well they (match officials) have adapted and they have understood that emotions are a big part of that. I cannot control myself in the scoreline, and so far it has worked.’

He joked that in video preparation for the game, Gordon’s goal wasn’t brought back up.

Arteta added: ‘I didn’t stop on that sequence! It is already on my hard drive so I didn’t want to go through that again.’

Martin Odegaard is not in contention, but Gabriel will be available if he gets through training today. Ben White has a joint issue and is a doubt.