– it’s a shame. It’s embarrassing. That’s how I feel, and that’s how everyone in the dressing room feels,” Mikel Arteta told Sky Sports after the end of the match on Saturday night.
It was the referees’ assessments regarding Anthony Gordon’s match-winning goal in the 64th minute that prompted Arteta to unleash powerful volleys.
VAR checked three different episodes in the lead-up to the goal.
It was first checked whether the ball was out of play, then whether Joelinton had used illegal means in the duel with Gabriel. In the end, offside was considered, and after just four minutes and six seconds the goal was approved.
– This will be discussed in every nook and corner, said Viaplay expert Niels Johan Semp after scoring the goal.
Newcastle’s Joelinton put his arms behind Arsenal goalkeeper Gabriel before scoring. Neither the on-field referee nor VAR deemed it a clear free kick.
Photo: Reuters
– This cannot continue
He was right about that, and Arteta believes the referee’s decision cannot be accepted.
– There is a lot at stake. We have put many hours into this. “I am here to represent Arsenal Football Club and to make my team perform at the highest possible level, but the margins are very small,” Arteta said, referring to the video assistant referee’s decisions that decided the match.
– You can’t understand how upset we are. This cannot continue. The Spaniard continued: “It’s embarrassing, I’m sorry, but it’s embarrassing.”
It is very rare for Premier League managers to use such words about refereeing decisions. That remains to be seen The English Football Association (The English Football Association will punish the Arsenal coach for his comments.
Pal Andre Helland sat down in the Viaplay studio on Saturday. He believes Arteta should not be punished with fines or quarantine.
– People should be allowed to express how they feel. Do we want him to stand there and lie and answer like a robot? Or do we want someone to tell it like it is, and in the worst case, they will raise their hands and apologize afterward? I like to see that people have their feelings outside of their bodies.
The match’s lone scorer, Anthony Gordon, was not as clear-headed as Arteta when asked about VAR situations by Sky Sports after the match:
– I don’t know how many times the goal was checked, but I just hoped it would be approved.
Anthony Gordon can celebrate his fourth goal of the season.
Photo: Reuters
Until the match
For a long time the match was close and had little chance. The first half is best remembered for an instance ten minutes before half-time.
Then Sean Longstaff was badly obstructed by Kai Havertz, but the referee settled for a yellow card.
Newcastle players were very frustrated and received three yellow cards for protesting the same situation.
Replays showed that Havertz entered the duel with Longstaff with his leg extended, but hit the Newcastle player with his other foot. Thus, the referee and VAR failed to expel the German Havertz, who had to settle for a yellow card.
Just minutes later, Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimarães was elbowed in the head by tonight’s Arsenal captain, Jorginho. The situation was not picked up by the on-field referee nor VAR.
There was a tense atmosphere when Kai Havertz made a powerful save from Sean Longstaff in the first half.
Photo: AP
There were also chances at the beginning of the second half.
But in the 64th minute, Gordon appeared after a cross and put the ball into the net, amid the cheers of the home team’s fans at St. James’ Park.
The visiting team pressed for an equaliser, but were unable to create big chances.
Thus, the match ended with a score of 1-0 in a match that will remain forever remembered due to the events it witnessed on the field and in the stands. Referee Stuart Attwell issued six yellow cards, five of which were in favor of Newcastle.
Odegaard is injured
Arsenal had to contend without captain Martin Odegaard for the game. The Norwegian suffered a thigh injury recently.
He wasn’t on the team. Arteta said the following about the Norwegian after the match:
– We don’t know how long he will be gone. It’s something we have to monitor and evaluate. However, it is not a topic at the moment. He wasn’t ready to play, which is another problem we have.
Arsenal and Norway captain Martin Odegaard is suffering from injury. Here from the 2023 Community Shield between Manchester City and Arsenal.
Photo: Beyat Uma Dahli/NTB
Tonight’s game was Newcastle’s fourth successive home game in which they both won and kept a clean sheet in the Premier League. In addition, the home team extended its unbeaten streak in the league to seven matches.
Thus, Newcastle rises to sixth place with 20 points, while Arsenal occupies third place with 24 points. Both teams played 11 matches.
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