Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has heavily criticised the level of refereeing in the Premier League following the Gunners’ defeat to Newcastle at the weekend.
Anthony Gordon’s winner was allowed to stand despite being checked for three separate infringements by VAR and, speaking after the game, Arteta questioned whether England can be described as having the “best league” with the current standard of officiating:
“I’ve been [here for] more than 20 years in this country and it is nowhere near the level. We describe this as the best league in the world… We lost three points today, you know what that means, it’s too hard this league, too much at stake. It’s embarrassing [the decision to give the goal].”
Watch the full post-match press conference as Arteta fumes about the decision to award Newcastle a goal:
Arsenal suffered their first league loss in highly controversial circumstances
Gordon’s goal could have been disallowed for three different reasons. The ball could have been out of play before Joe Willock delivered the ball into the box. Joelinton is alleged to have fouled Arsenal defender Gabriel, preventing the Brazilian from clearing the ball, and Gordon could also have been adjudged to be offside.
However, VAR failed to find conclusive evidence to overturn the on-field decision which was a goal. The result condemned the Gunners to their first defeat in the league this season.
There has been backlash to Arteta’s controversial comments
Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville says it was the “correct” decision to give the goal, while Jamie Carragher claims Arsenal’s statement backing Arteta was “nonsense.”
On top of that, Michael Owen took to X to criticise Arteta’s behaviour, while he described Arsenal’s backing of their manager as “totally classless”.
The PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited) have yet to comment on Arteta or Arsenal’s statements.
