Every word of Mikel Arteta's furious VAR rant after Arsenal's 'disgraceful' Newcastle defeat

Mikel Arteta did not pull any punches when he was quizzed on Arsenal's controversial defeat to Newcastle, describing Anthony Gordon's only goal of the game as an 'absolute disgrace' to officiating. The Gunners boss was his animated-self at St James' Park on Saturday evening, prancing around his technical area as he led his side through every shot, pass and tackle.

But as red mist descended in Tyneside, the Spaniard was often seen pleading with the fourth official, Graham Scott. Desperate to retain an unbeaten start to the Premier League campaign, tensions rose in the Arsenal dugout and Arteta burst with emotion in his post-match press conference.

Whether the 41-year-old felt hard done by, disappointed with the performance or hurt knowing that Tottenham still reign superior – probably all three – he put all his cards on the table and let the Football Association know how he really feels about officiating in the English top-flight. So, with that being said, football.london has taken a look at Arteta's fiery rant...

The big talking point is the goal. Your views on it?

«We have to talk about the result because you have to talk about how the hell this goal stand ups and it’s incredible,» said the Arsenal boss. «I feel embarrassed but I have to be the one now coming here to try to defend the club and please ask for help, because it's an absolute disgrace that this goal is allowed; it’s an absolute disgrace.»

Why?

«Because it's not a goal for many reasons; it’s not a goal, for more than one reason at least,» Arteta replied. «It’s not a goal and it's too much at stake here. We put in so much effort, it’s so difficult to compete at this level, and it's an absolute disgrace.

»Again, I feel embarrassed having more than 20 years in