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Arsenal have released a statement decrying the state of Premier League officiating following a controversial defeat to Newcastle United on Saturday, insisting they back manager Mikel Arteta after his post-match outburst.
Anthony Gordon’s goal which decided the match was checked by VAR for going out of play in the build-up, a potential foul on Gunners defender Gabriel and for offside, but was allowed to stand after no reasons to overturn the on-pitch decisions were visible.
Arteta labelled the decision “embarrassing” and a “disgrace” in his post-match interviews, with the Gunners now calling for the referreeing body, Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), to “urgently address” what they perceive as “unacceptable” standards of officiating.
The statement in full reads:
“Arsenal Football Club wholeheartedly supports Mikel Arteta’s post-match comments after yet more unacceptable refereeing and VAR errors on Saturday evening.
“We’d also like to acknowledge the huge effort and performance from our players and travelling supporters at St James’ Park.
“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.
“We support the ongoing efforts of Chief Refereeing Officer, Howard Webb and would welcome working together to achieve the world-class officiating standards our league demands.”
Gordon’s goal secured a 1-0 victory for Newcastle and ended Arsenal’s 10-game unbeaten Premier League start at St. James’ Park.
Afterwards, Arteta said it was “embarrassing” that the goal was allowed to stand letting his feelings be known in post-match interviews as well as in his following press conference.
“Embarrassing what happened – how this goal stands, in the Premier League – this league we say is the best in the world,” Arteta told the BBC. “I’ve been 20 years in this country and now I feel ashamed. It’s a disgrace and there’s too much at stake here.”
He told Sky Sports: “There is so much at stake. We put so many hours. I’m here to represent the football club and to get my team to compete at the highest level. The margins are so small. It’s a disgrace. It’s embarrassing.
“That’s how I feel and that’s how everybody feels in that [dressing] room. You cannot imagine the amount of messages we’ve got saying this cannot continue. It’s embarrassing. I’m sorry, embarrassing.
“I defend my players, when I have to go there. I defend my job when I have to go there. ‘It’s not good enough, it’s not good enough.’ But I have to be here, to say it now. It’s not acceptable, there’s too much at stake.”
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