Unrepentant Mikel Arteta says he had duty to defend his players after Newcastle defeat

LONDON – Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta remained unrepentant on Tuesday about his emotional outburst following his team’s 1-0 defeat by Newcastle United in the Premier League after which he labelled the officiating “embarrassing and a disgrace”.

Speaking ahead of his side’s Champions League home clash against Sevilla, the Spaniard said he would do the same again.

“It is my duty to stand in front of you and the cameras and give a clear and honest assessment of what happens in the game and this is what I did, reflect very openly,” he said. “The game was conditioned by the decisions that were made and it was my duty to be defending my players, supporting my players, supporting my club... in the best possible way.

“This is what I’m going to do time after time... with the way I feel and with the evidence.”

Arsenal suffered their first Premier League loss of the season after Newcastle’s winning goal was allowed to stand despite a VAR (video assistant referee) check for three different reasons.

Arsenal issued a statement on Monday defending Arteta and said the club “deserved better”, adding that the officiating body, the PGMOL, urgently needed to address the standard of officiating.

“I stand for the same words that mistakes are part of football in any other way and we are here to constructively improve the game with everything we can,” Arteta said.

“This is what we are doing as a club, in the manager’s meetings, to give our opinions and voices and to raise things in the most constructive way to get a better game.”

Asked again about his conduct and whether his actions encouraged disrespect to referees, he said: “You have to understand that we have to be there and, if you guys want our opinion, then we have to give it in an honest way.

“Be clear and honest but respectful and value what we have and make sure we continue to evolve the game.”

However, former Manchester United defender Gary Neville says the Premier League needs to protect match officials after “dangerous” club VAR statements from both Arsenal and Liverpool.

He told Sky Sports: “I thought the statement (from Arsenal) was really poor. I thought the same the other week.

“Liverpool had a shocking one go against them a few weeks ago at Spurs, and we knew it was wrong at the time. They had a lot to feel hard done by.

“But the following day, when Liverpool wrote their statement mentioning sporting integrity, mentioning they were looking at all options and then the suggestion of a replay, I thought that was quite dangerous.

“The Arsenal statement is quite dangerous... the clubs themselves should behave better in these circumstances.”

Arsenal could qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League if they beat Sevilla in Group B.

Arteta’s side are top with six points, one more than Lens and four ahead of Sevilla.

“The moment you have a chance in football to put it to bed, do it,” he said. “We will have to do a lot of things right tomorrow against a really good team with enormous experience.” REUTERS