REVEALED: Mikel Arteta told Arsenal players they had been ‘impressive’ in defeat at Newcastle and would have gained ‘invaluable’ point were it not for officials… before slamming VAR as a ‘disgrace’ to award Anthony Gordon’s goal

• Anthony Gordon scored a controversial winner in Newcastle’s 1-0 victory
• Mikel Arteta was raging during his post match press conference and interview
• CHRIS SUTTON: Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is a clown – It’s All Kicking Off

Mikel Arteta reportedly praised his players in the dressing room and detailed the reasons he believes Newcastle’s winning goal should have been disallowed before railing against the ’embarrassing’ officiating in his post-match comments to the media.

The Gunners saw their unbeaten start to the Premier League campaign end at St James’ Park thanks to Anthony Gordon’s contentious second-half strike. 

Doubts over whether the ball had gone out of play, a potential foul on Gabriel and a possible offside were all checked and ultimately cleared by VAR, handing the Magpies the win and enraging the visitors. 

According to The Mirror, Arteta used the opportunity to cultivate a siege mentality among his group and credited his players with a putting in a display worthy of a point. 

The outlet also claim the Arsenal boss got one of the club’s video analysts to replay Gordon’s winner while he outlined why it should not have been allowed to stand. 

Mikel Arteta reportedly used the circumstances of Arsenal’s defeat to instill a ‘them vs us’ mentality within his squad

Anthony Gordon’s second-half winner was contentious on account of three potential infractions in the build-up

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The Spaniard then emerged from his bunker to address the media. Incandescent with rage he slammed VAR and braded the decision ’embarrassing’ before the club backed him up in a statement on Sunday. 

‘The Premier League is the best league in the world with the best players, coaches and supporters, all of whom deserve better.’ The statement read. 

‘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.’

Arteta’s comments have added to the growing scrutiny around VAR this season.

The most controversial VAR decision of the season came when Luis Diaz’s had a goal incorrectly disallowed during Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat by Tottenham in September.

Wolves manager Gary O’Neil has been vocal in his criticism of VAR in recent weeks.

Officials had to assess three separate incidents before the decision to award Gordon’s goal 

O’Neil slammed ‘another terrible decision’ against his side following Wolves’ 2-1 loss against Sheffield United on Saturday.

The defeat capped a difficult week for Arsenal, who were beaten 3-1 in the Carabao Cup by West Ham in midweek.

Arteta had bemoaned the absence of VAR in that match, claiming West Ham’s opening goal should have been ruled out for a foul on Aaron Ramsdale.

‘If there’s VAR, there’s no goal for sure,’ Arteta said following the loss to West Ham. ‘I understand for the referees it’s difficult because of the angle and the number of people there.’

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