'Get back in your box!' - Mikel Arteta branded an 'insufferable pr*ck' after bizarre touchline clash with Pedro Porro in Arsenal's friendly defeat to Tottenham

Just before the hour mark, Porro was preparing to take a throw-in close to the Arsenal technical area. Arteta, animated as ever, appeared to take issue with the location of the throw and signalled to the officials, urging them to intervene as Porro had advanced significantly beyond where the ball had gone out.

The Spaniard, clearly annoyed by Arteta’s protests, responded aggressively. In a moment of frustration, Porro shoved the Arsenal boss in an effort to clear space and continue play. Arteta seemed ready to retaliate, stepping toward the defender, but before things could escalate further, the fourth official rushed in to diffuse the situation and separate the two.

The altercation between Arteta and Porro didn’t go unnoticed by fans. Online platforms quickly lit up with clips of the incident, with many viewers criticising the Arsenal boss for overstepping his bounds.

@The_Forty_Four wrote: "Arteta always trying to be the main man… get back in your box."

@USATottenhamguy slammed Arteta and wrote: "Such an insufferable pr*ck."

Whereas, @SpursArmyTweets, wrote: "PEDRO PORRO TAKE A BOW! 🤍 Mikel Arteta, the most DISLIKABLE man in English football, scrap that, world football."

@JacoCats seconded and wrote: "Arteta loves to get bitched by our players. Hojbjerg few years ago and now Porro. He's such a little man."

@JoshRawlinson26 said: "Arteta really is a di*khead. Shame Porro didn’t just throw the ball at him."

Away from the sideline drama, the match itself delivered a memorable moment courtesy of Pape Matar Sarr. The Tottenham midfielder gave his side the lead just before halftime with a goal that caught the eye for both its execution and audacity. After capitalising on a misplaced pass in the middle of the park, Sarr noticed Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya straying far from his line. Wasting no time, the Senegal international lofted a shot from distance that sailed over Raya and nestled into the back of the net. The goal proved to be the decisive moment in what was a tightly contested affair.

Despite the defeat to their fierce local rivals, Arsenal won’t have much time to dwell on the result. The Gunners are set to face Villarreal next Wednesday in another pre-season matchup, which will be followed by their participation in the Emirates Cup on August 9. That game will see them square off against La Liga outfit Athletic Club at the Emirates Stadium.