Mikel Arteta did not sugar-coat his words when describing the goal that ultimately ended Arsenal's unbeaten start to the Premier League season against Newcastle United.
Anthony Gordon broke the deadlock just after the hour mark at St. James' Park as he smashed the ball home from close range. However, it took a while before the goal was given as the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) completed three separate checks before allowing celebrations to continue.
The first check was regarding whether the ball had gone out of play prior to the ball being crossed into the box by former Gunners midfielder Joe Willock. The second check was to see whether there was a possible foul on Gabriel Magalhaes as Joelinton appeared to push the defender in the back when challenging for the ball.
And finally, the third and final check was to see whether Gordon was in an offside position when he received the ball. Because VAR deemed that there was no conclusive evidence for the ball being out of play, or whether Joelinton had handled the ball when challenging Gabriel for a header — the goal was given.
But that reasoning has not sat well with Arteta. As part of his media obligations, the Spaniard faced the press after the final whistle and it's no surprise what the major talking point was. Clearly not happy with the goal, he did not hold back with his assessment of VAR's decision.
«We have to talk about the result because you have to talk about how the hell this goal stand ups and it’s incredible,» the Arsenal manager said in his post-match press conference. «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
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