Mikel Arteta slams "disgraceful" VAR after contentious Arsenal defeat at Newcastle

Pic to the left: Joe Willock appeared to claw back the ball after it had crossed the line. Pic top right: Joelinton appeared to push Gabriel to the turf before his assist. Pic down right: Gordon offside from Joelinton pass. (Photo credit: Sport Bible)

Mikel Arteta is set to face a disciplinary committee for his comments in the wake of Arsenal’s loss at Newcastle under the lights on Saturday.

The Gunners had gone ten games without defeat in the league until the game at St. James’s Park on Saturday. Anthony Gordon scored a contentious 64th-minute goal, but replays show three different reasons why the goal should never have stood.

VAR has been an integral part of the Premier League drama, and earlier on Saturday, a goal for Manchester United in the opening minutes of their encounter against Fulham was chalked off for what was described as a “subjective” offside call.

Joe Willock chased a wayward pass across the goal to the corner flag, and replays show the ball had crossed the line; he crossed into the Arsenal area, and again, Joelinton had two hands on Gabriel as the Arsenal defender tried to clear the ball.

Gordon slammed the ball past David Raya, but again, on replays, Gordon appeared offside, with Raya ahead of the ball and Gabriel the only Arsenal player onside in the passage of play. After four minutes of checks, the VAR allowed the goal, claiming they couldn’t conclude on any of the offenses.

"It's incredible; we have to talk about the result," Arteta said. "We have to talk about how the hell this goal stands. I feel embarrassed." It is an absolute disgrace that this goal is allowed. It's not a goal, for many reasons.

"For a goal to be allowed, there are certain things; prior to that, there are things not allowed in football, here in China, Japan, or Portugal."

"There is so much at stake; it is so difficult to compete at this level," Arteta said. "It is a disgrace. I have been in this country for more than 20 years, and it is nowhere near the level of the best league in the world.

"I don't care what they [the Premier League] say. It's too late." I have to stand here and explain. We lost three points. There is too much at stake; it is embarrassing."

Arsenal remains in third after the loss but could slip down as far as fifth with Aston Villa traveling to Forest and Liverpool away at Luton; both away teams would climb above Arsenal if they win. Newcastle moved up to sixth on the log.