Mikel Arteta admits new Arsenal approach to referees amid Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka verdicts

What a difference a few months makes.

It's not so long ago that Mikel Arteta was seen as the bad boy of Premier League managers. The Arsenal boss had drawn plenty of criticism for his behaviour on the touchline towards officials, before it all reached a crescendo in November's defeat to Newcastle.

«Embarrassing, it’s an absolute disgrace, that's what it is: a disgrace,» Arteta said after Newcastle's winning goal was not overturned despite four separate VAR checks. «There's so much at stake, we've put in so many hours to compete at the highest level and you cannot imagine the amount of messages we've had saying this cannot continue. It's embarrassing.

»It's not acceptable, there's too much at stake. I don't want to be in the hands of these people. I don't know how to feel. I'm wasting my time, we are wasting our time. It's difficult enough to compete against Newcastle – they are a really good team, but we have to talk about how the hell this goal stood. It's an absolute disgrace it was allowed. For more than one reason it should not be a goal.

«I have been in this country more than 20 years and [the officiating] is nowhere near the level of the best league in the world. I feel sick to be part of this. I feel sick. It's not a goal, it's not a goal.»

Cut to Saturday's 3-0 win over Bournemouth, and the Arsenal boss' approach could not be more different.

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Admittedly the circumstances were less tetchy. Arteta had just seen his side secure a convincing victory against a side lying 5th in the Premier League form table. The game still had a few decisions