Mikel Arteta: 'Passion and emotion? Nothing better than scoring and winning. If not, we go to church."

Mikel Arteta has brushed aside accusations that he has lost control of his players and criticism that his Arsenal team 'over-celebrate' during matches.

Last Saturday Arsenal beat Bournemouth at the Emirates with a dramatic 97th minute winner from Reiss Nelson and both players and staff ended up on the pitch in jubilation.

It was a result that kept the Gunners five points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League standings with 12 games remaining, but prompted some observers to describe the scenes as 'over the top', as if the players had thought they had won the league already.

The goal and the celebrations were virtually the last action of the match, but the referee included the incident in his match report and the English Football Association launched an investigation.

They have decided that the club will not face any form of sanction, according to reports.

"When you win in football, you celebrate. It is very difficult to win," he said, after the 2-2 Europa League draw at Sporting in Lisbon on Thursday.

"If you want passion and emotion, then there's nothing better than scoring goals and winning football matches, he added. "If not, we go to church."