Mikel Arteta said he felt ‘exposed’ after a fan harassed him for an autograph while leaving the Emirates Stadium in his car following Arsenal’s FA Cup victory over Wigan on Sunday.
Social media footage showed a supporter persistently asking the Spaniard to wind down his window and sign his shirt, a request which Arteta ignored.
The Gunners boss was with his family in the car, which was stuck in traffic outside the stadium.
The north London club reviewed security around players and staff three years ago with autograph hunters, who look to profit from getting their signed memorabilia sold, a prevalent safety risk.
On the incident, he said: ‘I always try to be very respectful. I love to sign and (take) photographs as much as we can.
‘I think it’s part of our role. But there are certain things in terms of security that we have to respect. And especially when certain people are doing it, they are not doing it for the right reasons.
Mikel Arteta (right) says he felt exposed when he was harassed by a fan wanting an autograph
The incident happened on Sunday when Arteta was stuck in traffic with his family in the car
‘We have other examples. The last time my wife was there and what was in the media was totally wrong and unfair. But that’s it.
‘I prefer to talk about incredible other people that come around genuinely because they want to have that interaction.
‘I think everybody knows how happy I am to do that. But there are moments and context (where) that is not the case.
‘And then we need somebody there to protect us as well because if not, we will get exposed and you cannot move from your car and you don’t feel very comfortable there. But that’s it. I take it on the chin.’
Meanwhile, Arsenal will introduce safe standing at the Emirates from next season, alongside a 3.9 per cent price rise on average for season tickets.
The move is the latest effort by the club to improve the atmosphere at their ground and comes after extensive talks with the Arsenal Supporters’ Trust (AST).
Though, the news of Arsenal season tickets rising for the fifth season in a row has left the AST disappointed.
The Gunners want to maximise every possible revenue stream and the stadium costs have increased in recent years.
Arsenal will introduce safe standing at the Emirates from next season, alongside a 3.9 per cent price rise on average for season tickets
An AST statement read: ‘We are disappointed that the FSA’s ‘Protect the Fans, Protect the Game’ proposals calling for a ticket price freeze across all Premier League clubs has not been taken up.
‘We firmly believe that with the football sector benefitting from ever-increasing broadcast and commercial revenues, it is time to stop squeezing match-going supporters so hard.
‘We now expect both Arsenal and the Premier League to give more explanation as to why they have chosen to ignore the compelling case for a price freeze put forward by the ‘Protect the Fans, Protect the Game’ campaign.’
Meanwhile, Saka has signed a new five-year contract at Arsenal that will make him the highest-paid player in the club’s history.
The deal, which runs until 2031, is said to be worth more than £300,000 per week.
