Antonio Conte criticises Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta over ‘unfair’ fixture list remarks
Tottenham manager Antonio Conte has said it is not right to speak about fair or unfair fixture lists following recent complaints from Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta.
Spurs manager Conte was unimpressed by Arteta's recent commentsArsenal travel to Aston Villa for the early Saturday kick-off, a fixture which comes off the back of their 2-0 defeat to Liverpool at the Emirates on Wednesday evening.
The same situation will also take place in April, when Arsenal will play Chelsea on Wednesday, April 20, but will then have to host Manchester United for the lunchtime fixture on the following Saturday.
Speaking after the Liverpool defeat, Arteta said, "Thank you so much to the Premier League, to do that and they’ve done it again when we have to play Chelsea and Manchester United, so if they want to give them any advantage, I say to them today, thank you so much for doing that."
He also confirmed that Arsenal had complained to the Premier League, continuing, "Yes, absolutely [a complaint has been issued]. Because it’s not fair what they’ve done.
"It’s always Sky or BT, this or that, but the only one that is affected is Arsenal and the only thing that I care about and what we care about, is Arsenal and for Arsenal, it’s not fair."
Speaking ahead of Tottenham’s key Premier League clash against West Ham on Sunday, Conte highlighted that the north London derby was called off at Arsenal’s request and that it still has not been rearranged.
He said, "Arteta should remember the postponed game. Tottenham-Arsenal.
"I don't forget this. And it's not right to speak about fair or unfair."
This incident resulted in the Premier League altering their rules regarding the postponement of fixtures and Conte added, "In general, I think my answer is enough.
"If someone wants to think about fair or unfair. We postponed the game, Tottenham-Arsenal."