After 11 matchweeks in the Premier League, there have been more controversies regarding bad refereeing than an entire season in the past. The latest addition to the mix happened during Newcastle United vs Arsenal match this weekend. The Gunners lost the match by a 1-0 margin after a controversial goal was allowed. Mikel Arteta did not hold back when he raised questions about the refereeing decision. Now it seems that Arsenal supports their coach. The Gunners recently posted a statement in support of Arteta.
Arsenal lost their match against Newcastle United this week after a controversial goal by Anthony Gordon was allowed. The Gunners coach Mikel Arteta was extremely vocal about the questionable decision that cost them the match. Arsenal have released a statement supporting their coach that read, “Arsenal Football Club wholeheartedly supports Mikel Arteta’s post-match comments after yet more unacceptable refereeing and VAR errors on Saturday evening. We’d also like to acknowledge the huge effort and performance from our players and travelling supporters at St James’ Park.”
It further read, “The Premier League is the best league in the world with the best players, coaches and supporters, all of whom deserve better. PGMOL urgently needs to address the standard of officiating and focus on action which moves us all on from retrospective analysis, attempted explanations and apologies. 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.” This was Arsenal’s very first Premier League defeat of the season.
The match stayed 0-0 for over an hour when Anthony Gordon kicked his shot at the back of the net. However, it took 3 separate VAR checks to determine whether it was legit goal or not. Yet, ultimately referee Stuart Attwell and the VAR official Andy Madley decided that the goal stood fair. The 3 VAR checks decided that Joe Willock kept the ball in play from going out of the line, that Gordon was onside, and that Joelinton did not foul Gabriel.
There was another major controversial decision in the match that saw Bruno Guimaraes avoid a card for an alleged elbow on Jorginho. However, the inexplicable decision on the goal perplexed Arteta the most. At the post-match press conference, Arteta said, “How the hell did this goal stand up? It’s incredible. I feel embarrassed. It’s an absolute disgrace that this was allowed. For many reasons it’s not a goal. It’s so difficult to compete at this level. This is nowhere near the [refereeing] level to describe this as the best league in the world.”
Talking to Sky Sports in an interview after the match, Arteta said, “The question is it’s not a goal, it’s simple. For a goal there are certainly things that are not allowed in football. I have to stand here and explain, we lost three points. There’s too much at stake. It’s embarrassing. It’s incredible how the players competed against this team, it makes me sick. I feel sick to be part of this.” Even after the burst outs, PGMOL explained why the goal was allowed and it seems that it will stay.
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