Ankara Messi: What does this phrase mean, and where did it come from?
Football![Ankara Messi: What does this phrase mean, and where did it come from?](https://images.sportsbrief.com/images/320x180/03f30d0eadd93f44.webp?v=1)
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta shared a rather visible awkward moment with celebrity chef Nusret Gokce, famously known as Salt Bae.
The Gunners squad is currently in Dubai for some warm weather training as they seek to recover from a busy run of fixtures in the festive period.
The congested schedule saw Arsenal's season unravel quickly in the wrong direction as they fell from first to fourth place in the Premier League table.
The North London side were also knocked out of the FA Cup tie by Liverpool in their third successive defeat in all competitions.
Ankara Messi: What does this phrase mean, and where did it come from?
FootballIn Dubai, Arteta went to one of Salt Bae's restaurants, where the Turkish chef is seen cutting a steak for the Spanish tactician in his trademark style.
Arteta fetches the dangling meat from the knife before the chef wraps his hand around the Arsenal boss, who is visibly uncomfortable.
Here is a video of that incident:
@Pascalee said:
"Am I the only one who finds this weird? A man opening his mouth to be fed like that. Arsenal, come get your gaffer!"
Salt Bae made football headlines in 2022 when he was seen celebrating with the Argentina squad following their World Cup triumph in Qatar. The chef even touched the World Cup trophy, which is a serious breach of protocol, as he took pictures with Lionel Messi and co.
"Following a review, Fifa has been establishing how individuals gained undue access to the pitch after the closing ceremony at Lusail stadium on 18 December. The appropriate internal action will be taken," a statement from FIFA as quoted by the Guardian said then.
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FootballSports Brief has also reported that Ivan Toney has seemingly waved away claims that he will be seeking a move away from Brentford.
Toney, who is one of Arsenal's targets, is set to return after an eight-month ban. The England international has reiterated the desire to repay the faith and trust the Bees put in him during his suspenison.