Lacks class' - Tottenham and Everton fans can't believe what Mikel Arteta did in FA Cup final

The Arsenal boss was seen gesturing during the first half at Wembley

The FA Cup final has been an entertaining affair in the first half.

The big London derby between Arsenal and Chelsea has not disappointed so far, despite Wembley Stadium being empty because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Christian Pulisic lit up the national stadium finishing off a stunning move to give Chelsea the lead.

But Arsenal grew into the match as the half wore on and they deservedly levelled from the penalty spot after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was hauled down on his way into the box by Cesar Azpilicueta.

And in that moment for the penalty, Arsenal boss MIkel Arteta did something that annoyed a number of football supporters.

Azpilicueta was booked for the challenge, with Antonio Rudiger the covering defender, although with no real attempt made to win the ball there is an argument that Azpilicueta could have been sent off.

It is something that really grates with supporters when players call for other players to be sent off, and Arteta gesutring on the sidelines was not missed by fans on Twitter.

Among a great number of people responding to the pictures, many were Tottenham - natural for rivals of Arsenal - and Everton for whom Arteta actually played in his career.

Arteta did redeem himself later on when Azpilicueta went off injured, patting him as he went past to make sure he was okay.

We're a team in progress, stick with us- From Players To Arsenal Fans

Ainsley Maitland-Niles says our true character came through in the Emirates FA Cup on Sunday.

We had a tough restart with defeats at Manchester City and Brighton - where we let a lead slip - but back-to-back wins at Southampton and Sheffield United have transformed the mood.

 

Maitland-Niles, who returned to the side and made a team-high four tackles, is convinced we are on the up.

 

"We've been building a lot of character," he told Arsenal Digital.

"The tough times we're in show we've got the character to come back and keep fighting, trying to do as well as we can in the league and in the domestic cups, as much as we can. I think today was just the icing on the cake in showing people we can really do it.

 

"[My message to the fans is to] just keep supporting us, stick with us. We're a team in progress, just like a lot of other teams, and we're trying to win as many games as we can to please the fans.

 

"It's an amazing feeling [to reach the semi-final]," he added. "Every club wants to go to Wembley and play. For us to do it here today, away, and we haven't had the best of results away recently... it's good to pick up that win."