Newcastle v Arsenal: Pictures
Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has furiously blasted the decision to allow the goal that condemned his side to a 1-0 defeat after labelling Newcastle’s winner an ‘absolute disgrace’. The Gunners were undone by a goal from Anthony Gordon in the second half but a series of incidents in the game, including Gordon’s winner, controversially went against his side. And the Spaniard risked a possible fine from the Football Association for his extraordinary post-match remarks after venting his fury.
The north London side fell to their first defeat of the Premier League season after Gordon’s close-range strike, which came seconds after a collision between Joelinton and Gabriel in the penalty box.
VAR checked for three separate incidents in the build-up to the goal: whether the ball went off the pitch, if it was a foul on Gabriel and if Gordon was offside. But on all three counts, it was ruled there was inconclusive evidence to rule out the goal and referee Stuart Attwell awarded the goal to Newcastle.
Arsenal boss Arteta, who protested on the touchline, unleashed his fury in an epic post-match rant, demanding an explanation for how the goal was allowed to stand and calling the incident an ‘absolute disgrace’.
“I praise my players for the performance and the way we played. We didn’t deserve to lose the match. We lose the match because of the clear and obvious decisions. It’s embarrassing. A disgrace. That’s what it is. A disgrace,” Arteta told Sky Sports.
“There’s so much at stake, we put in so many hours. I am here to represent the football club and get my team competing at the highest level possible. The margins are so small. It’s a disgrace, it’s embarrassing.
That’s how I fell and how everyone feels in that [dressing] room. You cannot imagine the amount of messages I got saying this cannot continue. It’s embarrassing. I have to be here now to say it is not acceptable. I don’t’ know how to feel. I am wasting my time. We are wasting our time.
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“I don’t want to be in the hands of people. It’s difficult enough to compete against this team [Newcastle]. It cannot continue. It’s embarrassing. There’s too much at stake. The consequences are too big.”
It was not the only VAR incident to cause controversy either, with Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes fortunate to escape a red card after striking Jorginho with his forearm.
Arteta took a more nuanced view on the Brazilian’s challenge and VAR’s decision to not act, and refused to elaborate on whether Kai Havertz should have also seen red. But his comments could land him a fine with the FA if they decide the 40-year-old could be charged with improper conduct.
It was the first time Arsenal have lost in 12 Premier League games this season and the defeat will be even more painful after Manchester City thrashed Bournemouth 6-1 earlier on Saturday.
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