The FA will not sanction Arsenal for issuing a statement that supported Mikel Arteta’s “disgrace” rant during their disputed loss at Newcastle. Arsenal will face no repercussions for issuing a statement that supported Mikel Arteta’s rant following their defeat at Newcastle.
However, the Spaniard, who called the decision to award Anthony Gordon’s goal a “disgrace,” could face a touchline ban. Following the setback at St James’ Park in early November, the FA wrote to the club and its manager, requesting their observations.
Gordon’s strike survived three VAR assessments before being awarded, with all three aspects dividing opinion. Arsenal issued a statement defending Arteta’s comments, but the Evening Standard understands they will not face repercussions from the FA. The north Londoners added in their statement that they “wholeheartedly support” their manager and that they had suffered from “yet more unacceptable refereeing and VAR errors.” They also remarked that the “PGMOL urgently needs to address the officiating standard.”
Arteta’s post-match outburst, in which he expressed his displeasure to Sky Sports and then again in the written media press conference, included the words: “It is embarrassing, it is a disgrace, that’s what it is, a disgrace.”
“We’ve been taking it up (with the PGMOL) for months,” he continued. We have put in far too many hours, and there is far too much at stake. “I’m here to represent the football club and to get my team to compete at the highest level, because the margins are so thin, it’s a disgrace and embarrassing.”That’s how I feel. We’ve sent numerous communications stating that this cannot continue. Sorry about the embarrassment. I defend my players when necessary, and I defend my job when it is inadequate. I have to be here now to say it is not acceptable, there is too much at stake.”
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