Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has been charged by the FA over comments he made about the officials in his side’s 1-0 defeat to Newcastle United earlier this month.
It was an exhilarating game for the Gunners when they faced Eddie Howe’s team at St James’ Park. Despite a challenging match, they showcased their resilience. Unfortunately, they encountered their first setback of the season, but it only serves as fuel for their determination to bounce back even stronger.
Anthony Gordon’s goal was surrounded by controversy as Arsenal expected the ball to go out of play, but Joe Willock managed to keep the attack alive.
There was also a moment where Joelinton seemed to push Gabriel Magalhaes. Despite the VAR checks, the goal was awarded, and Arsenal couldn’t respond in the remaining time.
Before Gordon’s goal, there were also incidents where Kai Havertz and Bruno Guimaraes narrowly avoided red cards.
Following the defeat at St James’ Park, a seething Arteta labelled the manner of his side’s defeat a “disgrace” alongside claiming that he felt “sick” and “embarrassed” by the level of officiating in the Premier League.
Arsenal also backed their manager in a strongly-worded club statement, lashing out at the “unacceptable” standards of officiating in the Premier League amid a spate of contentious VAR decisions across the board this season.
The Spaniard risked landing himself in hot water with the FA, who have now accused him of using “insulting” comments which could bring the game into “disrepute”, and he has until next Tuesday to respond.
“Mikel Arteta has been charged with a breach of FA Rule E3.1 following comments that he made in media interviews after Arsenal’s Premier League game against Newcastle United on Saturday 4 November,” a statement read.
“It’s alleged that his comments constitute misconduct as they are insulting towards match officials and/or detrimental to the game and/or bring the game into disrepute. Mikel Arteta has until Tuesday 21 November to provide a response to the charge.”
Arsenal’s loss at St James’ Park saw Tottenham possess the final unbeaten record standing in the top-flight campaign, although the Lilywhites soon lost their own golden streak in a 4-1 hiding at the hands of Chelsea.
The Gunners have responded to their Newcastle dejection with back-to-back home wins over Sevilla and Burnley to cement a third-placed standing in the Premier League table, level on points with Liverpool and one adrift of Manchester City ahead of their trip to Brentford on November 25
