Mikel Arteta has dismissed the idea that Arsenal’s apparent over-celebrating could derail their title bid.

The Gunners came under fire for how they celebrated Sunday’s huge win over Liverpool, which moved them to within two points of the Premier League leaders.

Arsenal players celebrated with a lap of honour, with captain Martin Odegaard taking a picture of the club photographer on the pitch. After the third goal, Arteta reacted by sprinting down the touchline.

Sky Sports pundits Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher both criticised the post-match scenes. Neville said the celebrations showed “a little bit of immaturity”, while Carragher said Arsenal’s players should “just get down the tunnel”.

But asked if he thinks there’s any relationship between the way a team celebrates winning and their maturity to claim the title, Arteta said: “If I think when I have won Premier Leagues somewhere else, the answer would be: ‘Big no.’”Pressed why, Arteta said: “Because I have experienced it. That’s it.

“I’m not saying there isn’t. My experience says no but maybe someone says ‘my experience, yes.’ Mine says no because I have seen how to celebrate.”

The fallout from Arsenal’s celebrations has rumbled on for days, with Carragher even changing his profile picture to one of Odegaard on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter.

Arteta, however, insists he has been unaware of the noise around Arsenal and only heard about it on Friday ahead of his press conference before the clash with West Ham.

“They told me today so I didn’t know anything about it,” he said. “But I love it. I’ve seen managers at the Emirates, away (at other stadiums) on their knees inside the pitch.

“I’ve seen very big managers going across the touchline in the Premier League.

“Personally, I love it because it brings such a passion and emotion to the game when it’s done in a natural and unique way. I think it’s great but it’s my opinion and other people may think something different.”