Mikel Arteta left with egg on his face as comments on Liverpool VAR decision resurface

Mikel Arteta, the Arsenal manager, has experienced a dramatic shift in his stance on refereeing decisions in the Premier League.

Arteta’s recent outburst following Arsenal’s controversial loss to Newcastle has raised questions about the consistency of his opinions on VAR and officiating standards.

Refereeing Controversy at Newcastle

Arteta’s frustration reached its peak after Arsenal’s first Premier League defeat of the season, particularly which occurred at Newcastle.

Subsequently, the contentious decision that fueled his anger was Anthony Gordon’s winning goal, mired in controversy as VAR scrutinized several aspects.

Arteta’s Outburst on Refereeing Decisions

In the aftermath of the match, Arteta expressed strong disapproval of the goal being allowed to stand.

He labeled the decision as “embarrassing” and a “disgrace,” while openly criticizing the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) and the officiating standards. Further, the Arsenal boss said:

“We’ve been taking it up (with the PGMOL) for months. There is too much at stake, we put in 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, embarrassing.”

He also added:

“You look at the images and I don’t know how to feel. I am wasting my time, we are wasting our time. I don’t want to be in the hands of people.

It is difficult enough to compete against this really good team. The way we play, the way we compete, it is embarrassing, there is too much at stake. “

This marked a significant shift in his previous stance on supporting referees.

Call for Improved Officiating

Arteta demanded an improvement in refereeing standards, highlighting the high stakes in the Premier League.

His frustration was clear as he asserted that the margins are so small. And it’s crucial for the officials to make the right decisions.

Inconsistent Stance

This vocal outburst by Arteta starkly contrasts with his earlier comments where he defended referees and VAR following a controversial decision in Tottenham’s victory over Liverpool.

At that time, he called for understanding and support for officials, acknowledging that mistakes are part of the game. The Arsenal boss, however, claimed:

“I don’t know. It’s something that we don’t have a say on, we don’t manage.

I think they are trying to make the best decisions, they are trying to protect the game, they are trying to get as much support and be ruthless when they need to be.

At some point as well we need to give support and understand that mistakes happen. We’ve made mistakes as well and if the pressure is so much then it’s very difficult to manage.”

Arsenal’s Reaction

Furthermore, Arsenal issued a statement urging the PGMOL to address the standard of officiating after their defeat, echoing the club’s dissatisfaction with the decision.

Although their anger is justified, they have not yet called for a match replay.

Comparing to Liverpool’s Experience

Arsenal’s reaction to the incident draws parallels with Liverpool’s reaction to the Luis Diaz goal disallowed against Tottenham, which also sparked controversy.

However, neither Arsenal nor Arteta has gone to the extent of demanding a replay, unlike Liverpool.

While teams and managers have the right to voice their concerns, the need for a balanced approach to support officials and address genuine grievances remains essential for the integrity of the sport.

Sridarshi Chowdhury

Passionate about the beautiful game and dedicated to Liverpool FC, where “You’ll Never Walk Alone” is not just a slogan, but a way of life. I live and breathe football, from the roar of the Anfield crowd to the tactical intricacies of the sport.

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