Mikel Arteta Builds 'Massive Storage' of Evidence to Prove Rival Premier League Managers Escape Touchline Punishment

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has revealed he is assembling what he calls a "massive storage" of images documenting rival Premier League bosses leaving their technical areas without punishment, after he was booked for the offence for a second time this season.

The yellow card came during the Gunners' victory over Everton, and the Spaniard wasted little time making his case that he is being singled out unfairly, insisting he is far from the worst offender in the top flight.

'They should put sensors there'

Speaking about the booking, Arteta pointed to what he sees as a glaring inconsistency in how officials police the touchline, claiming one manager has repeatedly wandered out of the technical area without facing any sanction.

"I do have to be careful. They should put sensors there," Arteta said. "There are managers who have the record in the league, 36 times in 10 minutes [they] leave the touchline — no yellows.

"I am clipping all of that so I have now a massive storage of images, so if somebody comes to me I can say, 'I am not in the record yet'. Somebody else has the record so let's see.

"Then it's 36 yellow cards in 10 minutes for the managers. I don't know what we are going to do — let's see."

The mystery manager in Arteta's crosshairs

Arteta did not name the manager he believes holds the record, leaving observers to speculate about who tops the list of touchline wanderers. A BBC Sport study, published in April 2025, found that among current top-flight bosses at the time, Aston Villa's Unai Emery spent the most time outside his technical area — a possible clue as to the identity of the culprit.

The question of what Arteta intends to do with his growing collection of touchline photographs remains unanswered. Whether it becomes a formal complaint, a pointed dressing-room joke or simply a bargaining chip the next time a match official reaches for the notebook, the Arsenal boss appears content to bide his time.

For now, the message to the rest of the Premier League's managers is clear: watch your step. Arteta is watching — and he has the receipts.