Mikel Arteta’s comments on refs after huge Liverpool error come back to haunt Arsenal boss as they’re played on Sky
MIKEL ARTETA may have demanded a major change in top-flight officiating after Arsenal’s controversial defeat to Newcastle.
But his comments following Liverpool’s error-laden defeat to Tottenham in September have certainly come back to haunt him.
Arteta was left seething on Saturday after seeing Arsenal’s unbeaten start to the season abruptly end.
Anthony Gordon scored the only goal as Newcastle bagged a huge victory over their top four rivals.
But the strike was shrouded in controversy as VAR made THREE separate checks during a near-five minute stoppage.
Chiefs checked for a foul and an offside after deciding the ball had not gone out of play in the build-up.
And this led Arteta to label VAR an “absolute disgrace” while also saying he was “ashamed” of top-flight officiating.
Arsenal also released a statement today backing their manager’s comments while demanding an overhaul of refereeing in the Premier League.
However, Arteta’s latest comments are at odds with what he said following Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat at Spurs on September 30.
A major VAR blunder did not allow Luis Diaz’s perfectly legal strike to stand.
FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
Liverpool also had two players harshly sent off before conceding a 96th minute own-goal to hand Spurs all three points.
Jurgen Klopp blasted VAR at the time and even hinted that he wanted a replay.
But days later, Arteta put up a valiant defence of the league’s refs.
The footage was replayed on Sky Sports after Liverpool’s 1-1 draw at Luton on Sunday night.
Arteta, speaking on October 6, said: “I don’t know. It’s something that we don’t have a say on, we don’t manage.
“I think they are trying to make the best decisions, they are trying to protect the game, they are trying to get as much support and be ruthless when they need to be.
“At some point as well we need to give support and understand that mistakes happen. We’ve made mistakes as well and if the pressure is so much then it’s very difficult to manage.”
This led Sky Sports host Kelly Cates to comment tonight: “And that’s why the comments he made after Arsenal’s defeat by Newcastle feel stronger because he’s already said we have to accept referees make mistakes.
“And then, in the heat of the moment he says – ‘but not this time’, not when it happens to us, which you can understand. That’s human nature.”
Fans also reacted to Arteta’s U-turn, with one saying: “What goes around comes around.”
Another declared: “Big hypocrite, he deserved the result.”
One noted: “Life comes after you hard.”
Another added: “Don’t worry it won’t be the last decision to go against you.”
ARSENAL TRANSFER NEWS LIVE: Stay up to date with all the latest transfer news and rumours from the Emirates