Mikel Arteta was furious after Arsenal’s defeat at Newcastle (Picture: Getty Images)
Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher both believe Arsenal were wrong to release a statement backing Mikel Arteta’s criticism of the officials in the defeat to Newcastle on Saturday.
Arteta was fuming after the Gunners were beaten 1-0 at St James’ Park, angry that Anthony Gordon’s goal was allowed to stand.
There were complaints over whether the ball stayed in play in the build-up to the goal, if Joelinton fouled Gabriel and whether Gordon was offside.
The goal was given by the on-field officials and not overturned by VAR as there was not sufficient evidence to do so, but Arteta labelled the decision ’embarrassing’ and ‘a disgrace’ after the match.
It was a passionate and aggressive speech from Arteta and Arsenal have followed it up with a club statement on Sunday backing their manager.
However, Neville thinks the Gunners have gone too far with their statement, as did Liverpool when they did something similar after a disallowed goal against Tottenham last month.
‘I played for a club where a manager went mad after games if we felt a decision had gone against us,’ Neville posted on social media. ‘You feel like it’s us against the world . I get it. Everyone hates us, the refs are out to stitch us up and theirs [sic] bias v us. However I can never remember the club writing letters undermining the system and the whole refereeing community.
‘When I look back now I don’t think as players we always covered ourselves in glory with refs and also at a big club we all feel entitled and you have to leave and retire to be able to see that.
Arsenal statement on Mikel Arteta’s comments
Arsenal Football Club wholeheartedly supports Mikel Arteta’s post-match comments after yet more unacceptable refereeing and VAR errors on Saturday evening.
We’d also like to acknowledge the huge effort and performance from our players and travelling supporters at St James’ Park.
The Premier League is the best league in the world with the best players, coaches and supporters, all of whom deserve better. PGMOL urgently needs to address the standard of officiating and focus on action which moves us all on from retrospective analysis, attempted explanations and apologies.
We support the ongoing efforts of Chief Refereeing Officer, Howard Webb and would welcome working together to achieve the world-class officiating standards our league demands.
‘Arsenal’s letter and even the Liverpool statement a few weeks ago ( they had a genuine bad one v them ) are wrong. Do it privately . If I was Howard Webb I would stop apologising to them and get on with it. Managers and players make far more mistakes than refs!’
Carragher added: ‘That Arsenal statement & complaints from their manager about the officials & VAR, on the Newcastle goal, is way over the top!’
The Liverpool legend told Sky Sports: ‘I’ve seen Arsenal have put a statement out and I don’t really agree with that. It happened a few weeks ago with Liverpool, I think it was a different set of circumstances, but I didn’t really agree with what Liverpool put out at the time.
‘Nothing was conclusive after the goal was given on-field, so it had to be a goal, end of story.’
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‘Way over the top!’