NEWCASTLE (AFP): Arsenal threw their backing behind manager Mikel Arteta on Sunday after he branded the decision to award Newcastle’s winning goal in a 1-0 defeat for the Gunners “a disgrace”.
The Spaniard was furious after Anthony Gordon’s strike survived three VAR checks to inflict Arsenal’s first Premier League defeat of the season on Saturday.
Gabriel Magalhaes claimed he was fouled by Brazilian international teammate Joelinton before the ball broke for Gordon to smash into an empty net.
A check for offside and whether the ball had gone out of play earlier in the move also proved inconclusive. Arteta labelled the decision an “embarrassment” to a league that brands itself as the best in the world.
“The result should not be what it is. Embarrassing what happened, how this goal stands, in the Premier League, this league we say is the best in the world,” Arteta said.
“I’ve been 20 years in this country and now I feel ashamed. It’s a disgrace and there’s too much at stake here.” The Arsenal boss is likely to face at least a fine and possibly a touchline ban for his comments.
But the club did not back down as they called for officiating to match the standard of players and coaches in the Premier League. “Arsenal Football Club wholeheartedly supports Mikel Arteta’s post-match comments after yet more unacceptable refereeing and VAR errors on Saturday evening,” read a club statement.
“The Premier League is the best league in the world with the best players, coaches and supporters, all of whom deserve better.”
Last season referee chiefs were forced to apologise to Arsenal after Brentford’s equaliser in a 1-1 draw was wrongly awarded for VAR not checking for offside.
Liverpool said the “sporting integrity” of their 2-1 defeat at Tottenham in September had been undermined after they had a goal wrongly ruled out for offside after VAR officials incorrectly believed the goal had been given.
Jurgen Klopp’s calls for the game to be replayed fell on deaf ears.
And Arsenal said the time had come for action rather than apologies.
“PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited) urgently needs to address the standard of officiating and focus on action which moves us all on from retrospective analysis, attempted explanations and apologies,” added the club statement.
“We support the ongoing efforts of chief refereeing officer Howard Webb and would welcome working together to achieve the world-class officiating standards our league demands.”
Defeat left Arsenal three points behind Manchester City at the top of the Premier League.
