Mikel Arteta has been likened to two of the most influential managers in Premier League history—Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho—by former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher, according to recent reports. Arteta has been in charge of Arsenal since December 2019, making him the longest-serving manager in the Premier League. His tenure far exceeds that of any other current manager, including Unai Emery, who took charge of Aston Villa in November 2022. Arteta also led Arsenal to their first Premier League title in over a decade last season, cementing his status as a key figure in English football. Carragher suggested that Arteta is aware of his growing influence and may be using it to shape decisions in the league, much like Ferguson and Mourinho were known to do in their respective eras. This idea was sparked by Arteta’s reaction to a controversial penalty decision during Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over Sunderland. The referee ruled that Arsenal defender Ezri Konsa had fouled Dan Ballard inside the penalty box, but Arteta strongly disagreed with the call. During a post-match press conference, Arteta expressed his frustration, calling the decision "unacceptable at this level" and stating that Konsa "did nothing." He emphasized the need to protect the integrity of the game and warned that the decision could have cost Arsenal the match and their momentum. Carragher interpreted these comments as an attempt by Arteta to set a precedent and influence future decisions, mirroring the tactics used by Ferguson and Mourinho in their time. According to reports, Arsenal is planning to reach out to the refereeing body Pro Ref to discuss the penalty decision made during the match at the Stadium of Light. The club is likely seeking clarification or a review of the referee’s decision, underscoring the significance of the incident in the context of the ongoing debate over officiating in the Premier League.