Mikel Arteta avoids fresh VAR row as Arsenal cruise past Burnley despite red card
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Arsenal's Fabio Vieira fouls Burnley's Josh Brownhill and is subsequently shown a red card by referee Michael Oliver.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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LONDON – Mikel Arteta sidestepped a fresh VAR (video assistant referee) row after 10-man Arsenal overcame Fabio Vieira’s red card to beat Burnley 3-1
Portuguese midfielder Vieira was sent off in the closing stages at the Emirates Stadium for a high challenge on Josh Brownhill.
It was the kind of flashpoint that could have provoked another angry reaction from Arteta.
The Gunners boss is waiting to find out if he will face a Football Association (FA) charge after he criticised the officials following the previous weekend’s controversial 1-0 loss at Newcastle.
Arteta was asked to provide his observations to the FA, having labelled Anthony Gordon’s goal “embarrassing” and a “disgrace” after VAR gave it despite a clear foul by Newcastle’s Joelinton.
But the Spaniard opted against any more rants on Saturday, largely because the Vieira decision was hard to argue against and Arsenal won anyway to move level on points with leaders Manchester City.
Pep Guardiola’s City side took on Chelsea on Sunday, with the result not available at press time.
“With the red card... yes, VAR was right,” Arteta said, with a bit of jest.
“The referee was right. Really good decision, really positive from Mikel to speak about that! Good decision.
“Please ask me about VAR because today it was good. I hope that I’m on TV saying the referees are so good and I’m completely with them and being very constructive.”
Brownhill had cancelled out Leandro Trossard’s opener, which was Arsenal’s 1,000th goal at the Emirates since their move from Highbury in 2006.
William Saliba headed Arsenal back in front before Oleksandr Zinchenko secured the points with an acrobatic volley.
Trossard was the difference-maker for the Gunners, the Belgium international once again starting as the central striker in the absence of the injured Gabriel Jesus.
He also laid on the corner from which Saliba scored and it was another set piece from the former Brighton & Hove Albion star that led to Zinchenko’s eye-catching scissor kick.
“I think he connects everybody. He’s so intelligent,” Arteta said of Trossard.
“I think he moves in ways that attracts people, generating spaces and options for people.
“Today he did that really good because it was so difficult and the spaces were so small to attack. He gave us a lot of threat and possibilities to connect and find spaces for us.
“He puts his body on the line if it’s necessary, and that was it. It’s the 1,000th goal at the Emirates – a beautiful number.”
Burnley manager Vincent Kompany, meanwhile, admitted that his team simply lost to a better side.
He said, as quoted by the BBC: “We played a fantastic side. The way Mikel has the team working is outstanding.
“In general play we did as well as we could in terms of being solid, aggressive and taking our moments. When the second half gets decided on two set pieces, for us it leaves a bitter feeling.” AFP
