Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta furious over controversial Newcastle United winner in Premier League

NEWCASTLE – Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said he felt “embarrassed” and “sick” after Anthony Gordon’s controversial goal in

Newcastle United’s 1-0 home victory over his side,

as he gave a scathing assessment of the match officials and the English Premier League’s standards.

The goal was awarded by referee Stuart Attwell after a triple VAR assessment lasting four minutes and six seconds to check if the ball went out of play, whether there was a foul in the build-up and for offside.

“How the hell did this goal stand up? It’s embarrassing what happened. How this goal stands, in the Premier League – this league that we say is the best in the world... I feel ashamed. It’s a disgrace. It’s not good enough. I feel embarrassed to be part of this,” Arteta said at the start of his emotional post-match press conference.

Joe Willock tried to keep a wayward shot from Jacob Murphy in play near the corner flag before steadying himself and swinging in a cross. Joelinton beat Gabriel in the air before knocking the ball down into Gordon’s path. With goalkeeper David Raya off his line, Gordon smashed into the net from close range in the 64th minute.

“It’s embarrassing. That’s how I feel and that’s how everybody feels in that (dressing) room. You cannot imagine the amount of messages we’ve got saying this cannot continue. I feel sick. That’s how I feel. I feel sick to be part of this,” the Spaniard said.

On the fact there were three checks, Arteta added: “That makes it worse – you need to see one image to say ‘OK, finished’. Then if in doubt you check the second one and then they’re saying this is a goal. OK then.”

The loss was the Gunners’ first in the league this season and left them three points behind leaders Manchester City (27) and two off Tottenham Hotspur, who play on Monday.

Asked if he would be speaking with the PGMOL refereeing body about the goal, Arteta told Sky Sports: “Yeah we will be taking it up for many months. There is so much at stake.”

Magpies boss Eddie Howe, however, thought the correct decision was made by the officials and the goal should stand.

“We’re in the dark, we’re stood by the side of the pitch seeing VAR on the screen but with no pictures. I haven’t seen anything other than what I saw at the time. It looked a good goal to me,” he said.

Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown felt it was a foul on Gabriel – but thought Arteta should have waited until he calmed down to speak to the media.

“He was very emotional. He might have been better placed taking a bit longer before his interviews. There were some decisions I was getting angry with myself,” Keown said on BBC Match of the Day.

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher, on Sky Sports, said: “The big thing is the ball going out. I don’t think it is a foul. The problem is the camera angle we have is not conclusive, so I am glad it has been given... If there is not enough evidence to disallow a goal, then that should be given a goal.”

Over at the Etihad Stadium, Jeremy Doku’s dazzling display which inspired a 6-1 win over Bournemouth was marred by Erling Haaland’s injury scare.

The Belgian opened the scoring before providing four assists as City ripped Bournemouth apart. However, Pep Guardiola will be sweating on Haaland’s fitness after the Norway striker was forced off at half-time following a first-half knock.

“Twist in the ankle. We didn’t want to take risks with him because he didn’t feel comfortable. He’ll be back maybe Tuesday but maybe next Sunday. Hopefully not a big issue,” said Guardiola, whose side next face Young Boys in the Champions League before travelling to Chelsea at the weekend.

Saluting Doku, the City boss added: “He’s settled so quick. It’s not just today, all the games he played have been really good. He is an incredible threat.” REUTERS, AFP