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Ronald Koeman plays down spat with Arsene Wenger

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Ronald Koeman says he has no regrets following his spat with Arsene Wenger after Southampton's goalless draw at Arsenal in midweek

Southampton boss Ronald Koeman has drawn a line under his midweek tunnel bust-up with Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.

Koeman and Wenger exchanged words following the goalless draw at Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night.

The Arsenal boss is understood to have shouted at referee Lee Mason: "It's always the same with you."

Koeman saw his opposite number confront the referee and said to him: "No, it's always the same with you."

Koeman confirmed the incident had taken place as it was reported, but insisted it was all in the heat of the moment and that it would not affect his relationship with Wenger.

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"What was written in the press was true, and that's all," said Koeman. "It's emotions in football and it happened, and we go on.

"Do I regret it? If I talk it's what I mean, of course. No, I don't think (it will affect our relationship). "It's always a little bit of emotions and he was very disappointed about the result because they had some good chances."

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Koeman was named manager of the month for January following Saints' recent fine run.

They emerged from a recent sticky patch to collect three wins, without conceding a goal, before the stalemate against the Gunners.

Southampton manager Ronald Koeman has won the Premier League Manager of the Month award for January
Image: Koeman has won the Premier League Manager of the Month award for January

Next up is a tea-time visit from a West Ham side lying one place, but five points, above Southampton in sixth spot.

"We hope to get more consistency, because that's one of our ambitions that we had at the start of the season, to have a more regular season," added Koeman.

"It's the Premier League and it's so difficult to get a good run, and to change it if you are in a bad run. We know what we have to do. The confidence is totally back in the team after the last few results.

"We have a big game against West Ham because it's still a gap between West Ham and Southampton, and we'd like to make that distance shorter than it is now."

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