Soccer often sees mistakes in games, which can be detrimental to the result. Despite the best technology available, including the Virtual Assistant Referee (VAR), mistakes are often made by the match officials. Arsenal and manager Mikel Arteta were the latest victims of a VAR mistake, a common trend in recent days.
The Premier League has seen a rise in such mistakes, and now Arsenal suffered a huge loss in their title race efforts. And Arteta could not keep quiet as he slammed the officials after the match.
Mikel Arteta to avoid FA punishment
The incident happened yesterday in the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Arsenal at Saint James’ Park. The match ended in a 1-0 loss for the Gunners, their first in the league this season. The only goal was scored by Anthony Gordon, despite there being calls for cancellation for three different reasons.
There was an offside call, a call that a foul had been committed by Newcastle’s Joelinton before the goal, and a call that the ball had gone out of play previously by Joe Willock. But despite VAR being involved to check all three possible angles, the goal stood.
After the game, manager Mikel Arteta was livid. He said in the post match press conference, “Embarrassing, it’s an absolute disgrace, that’s what it is: a disgrace.”
He further put emphasis that the Premier League officiating was not up to the standards it should have, “I have been in this country more than 20 years and [the officiating] is nowhere near the level of the best league in the world. I feel sick to be part of this. I feel sick. It’s not a goal, it’s not a goal.”
Now, such a reaction from a manager is unacceptable in the eyes of the FA, the governing body of English football. Criticism of any kind for match officials is seen as offensive to the sport and usually a fine is handed out to any player or manager indulging in it. So, Arteta was also expected to be fined or even given a suspension for his outburst.
But Football London reports that the Spaniard did not specify any bias the referees may have had, target any specific match official, or even use abusive language. These reasons may explain why he may not have to receive a fine or ban.
Arsenal issues statement in support of Mikel Arteta
And now Arsenal themselves have decided to support their manager’s statements. The club released a statement on their official website, which said, “Arsenal Football Club wholeheartedly supports Mikel Arteta’s post-match comments after yet more unacceptable refereeing and VAR errors on Saturday evening.”
It also called for more changes and action from the referees to ensure better quality of officiating, “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.”
Clearly, the club is ready to stand by their manager in case any suspension or fine is given out. Furthermore, they want the officiating to change from now on because the recent loss has already set things back for them. The Gunners are trying their best to win the Premier League this season, and now they have been further slowed down in that conquest.
Mikel Arteta will now have to leave the VAR fiasco behind him, as he has to prepare Arsenal for their next game against Sevilla in the Champions League this Wednesday.
