Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta may escape FA punishment for wild Newcastle VAR rant

Mikel Arteta fumes at Newcastle’s winning goal against Arsenal

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta could escape disciplinary action despite his spectacular rant following the 1-0 defeat to Newcastle. Arteta was incensed at referee Stuart Attwell’s decision to allow Anthony Gordon’s 64th-minute winner after the goal passed three separate VAR checks.

While his post-match comments, branding the decision-making “embarrassing” and “an absolute disgrace” after his side lost their unbeaten Premier League record, might be expected to land him in hot water with the FA, he was careful not to accuse officials of bias and was not abusive towards them.

He may well have stayed just the right side of the line in venting his fury. And as such he could escape punishment despite the extent of his anger.

Arteta raged: “Embarrassing what happened – how this goal stands, in the Premier League – this league we say is the best in the world. I’ve been 20 years in this country and now I feel ashamed.

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“It’s a disgrace and there’s too much at stake here. We are trying to do incredible things and be at the highest level each week. When we’re not good enough I hold my hands up and take responsibility.

“The outcome is nowhere near the level this league needs to have and the way this league is getting competed in. It’s not good enough. I feel embarrassed to be part of this.”

Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya backed his manager’s take that the goal – which was scrutinised for the ball potentially rolling out of play in the build-up, a potential foul by Joelinton on Gabriel and whether Gordon was offside – should never have stood.

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“What I could see was the ball went out of play, and then after going to the dressing room, looking back at the goal, it’s a big foul on Gabi. He’s pushing him with two hands on his back when he’s about to clear the ball,” said Raya.

“It could have been an offside position – that’s harder to see – but the ball out of play and the foul is a massive decision that’s just going to cost us some points. We’re really frustrated.”

Arsenal will hope to channel their frustrations positively in the Champions League at home to Sevilla on Wednesday night. Victory would put them on nine points from a possible 12 with games at home to Lens and away to PSV to come in Group B.

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