Arteta laughs after being reminded of staff 'punch-up' last season against Villa

Last season's Premier League clash saw the Gunners secure their toughest away win of the campaign, and tensions on the pitch spilled into the technical box as things got heated between the clubs' backroom teams.

The game was as feisty off the pitch as it was on it, with former Gunners goalkeeper Emi Martinez's goal sparking mad scenes from the players and travelling fans, but also amongst staff.

Villa coaches Victor Manas, who worked under Unai Emery when he was in charge at the Emirates Stadium, and Jaime Arias both took exception to Arsenal analyst Miguel Molina's reaction to the goal from their position in the stands and angrily confronted him.

Home fans sitting nearby to their gallery were also left furious by the celebrations from the Arsenal analysts after they jumped up and down following their third goal of a fiery six-goal thriller, which the Gunners won 4-2 with two injury-time goals.

Arsenal vs Villa has therefore become a bit of a grudge match, with a number of ex-Arsenal staff now working with Emery at Villa Park.

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Saturday's game will be made that bit more complicated, with Arteta forced to watch from the stands due to suspension.

But the usually-animated Spaniard has insisted he and his coaches left in the dugout will be on their best behaviour this time.

"I have enough just trying to focus on the game," laughed the Arsenal manager when asked about last season's 'punch-up'.

"These things happen, we all learn from them and let's move on, but hopefully it's going to be a great game.

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"From our side we have a lot of respect for what they are doing at Aston Villa and we will prepare for the game as we always do, to win it."

Asked if he has given assistant manager Albert Stuivenberg and the other Arsenal coaches are strict instructions to behave themselves, Arteta said: "No, but I'm going to do it now!

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"The moment I go to the office I'm going to tell them about your question, so I will do that!"

Arteta was also asked if his players will miss his antics on the sidelines during his suspension.

But the boss admitted some are likely to actually prefer it.

"It's probably for the players to say [whether they are influenced by his behaviour on the sidelines]," he added.

"It might be helpful for some, it might not be helpful for some others, but it's just the way I live the game.

"I think I'm a bit calmer than before!

"I fully trust my players to deliver what we have to deliver to beat Villa, and that's what we're going to try to do."