Mikel Arteta Proved He's Pep Guardiola's Disciple By Becoming A Meme In Viral Touchline Exchange

Mikel Arteta proved he's a protege of Pep Guardiola in nature with his touchline antics during Arsenal's 4-2 victory over Chelsea.

The Gunners emerged winners from an entertaining affair and it means qualification for next season's Champions League is in their own hands.

Chelsea pegged Arsenal back twice through Timo Werner and Cesar Azpilicueta in the first half after Eddie Nketiah and Emile Smith Rowe had given them the lead on two separate occasions.

During that opening 45, Arteta was in fourth official Andy Madley's and cameras captured every moment.

Arteta was in complete shock when play was stopped for Azpilicueta being fouled while Arsenal were in a dangerous attacking position.

The Spaniard needed to calm himself down before returning for another chat, only to walk away and pull his face.

Arteta spent three years as an assistant at Manchester City, no doubt picking up a few tricks from Guardiola.

Fans noticed the exchange and reacted on social media.

One commented: "That interaction with Arteta and the fourth official might be the funniest Arsenal thing I've seen in years."

A second tweeted: "Need this as a gif ASAP."

Someone else put: "This might've been the best moment of the game."

While another said: "We've just seen a meme born right before our eyes."

Nketiah would grab his second of the game just before the hour mark following a mix-up at the back between Malang Sarr and N'Golo Kante.

The 22-year-old hadn't scored in the league all season but was preferred to Alexandre Lacazette up front.

Bukayo Saka would wrap things up in injury time with a penalty after being fouled by Azpilicueta.

Arteta insists his players now have belief they'll make it into the top four.

"That's the game that we had in hand. I said to them if you want to play Champions League football you have to come to places like this and win," he told Sky Sports. "Tonight we've done it and I'm really proud of them tonight, but I'm more proud of how they've reacted to every defeat over the past few weeks.

"Not only the players but as a staff and a club, and that's what reinforces me and gives me a reminder of how lucky I am to be here.

"What I love is the spirit of these players. When you lose matches, you get punished, you get criticised but for these players I don't care because it's so worth it. They are phenomenal people and as a group they are really growing.

"To win a London derby away from home and how we did it, I am really happy."