Less than a month after Liverpool released a statement following VAR controversy at Tottenham, the Gunners have now done the same. Their release came after explosive comments from manager Mikel Arteta after his side were beaten by a solitary - and controversial - goal against Newcastle.
Anthony Gordon put the ball in the back of Arsenal's net, but it was only confirmed after a lengthy check into three aspects of the goal. Firstly, there were suggestions the ball had gone out of play in the build-up, then there were accusations of a foul against Gabriel Magalhaes, before finally a contentious offside call. Ultimately, the goal was allowed to stand with the Magpies earning a valuable three points against their top-four rivals.
Arteta wasn't about to take the result lying down however, branding the awarding of the goal as "embarrassing", "unacceptable", "a disgrace" and "sickening". Arsenal then backed up their manager with the release of an official statement demanding that the PGMOL "urgently address the standard of officiating and focus on action which moves us all on from retrospective analysis, attempted explanations and apologies.".
They added: "The Premier League is the best league in the world with the best players, coaches and supporters, all of whom deserve better."
So in light of Arteta and Arsenal's comments, we've asked our team of Mirror Football writers whether they were acceptable and whether both should face retrospective action for their stance...John Cross
Mikel Arteta was absolutely right to call out the VAR decisions.
The day that TV pundits, journalists and the media in general complain about managers saying too much is the day we might as well all give up and go home!
Having gone through what Arteta said, I’m not sure he implies bias or questions the integrity of the officials anywhere which is the key to any potential FA charge and is what has got the likes of Jurgen Klopp in trouble in the past.
A manager can have a view and be outspoken - and Arteta has every right to be upset. I’m sitting on my sofa watching the game and, with my own eyes, saw the ball go out of play.
Rewind five years ago, the linesman puts up his flag. Now he doesn’t as he has got the VAR safety net. VAR then say they stick with the on-field decision. And there’s your problem, the on-field decision was to rely on VAR. What a farce.
Then it was a push on Gabriel. And it should have been offside. The standard of officials has never been so low. PGMOL boss Howard Webb was brought in to improve things - and it’s actually getting worse!
But were Arsenal right to put out a statement? Definitely not. Leave it with Arteta whose words were powerful and strong. Why do it? Because Liverpool had. It seems bizarre.
However, let’s not forget… Arsenal could have played all night and not scored. So they have to look at their own failings too.
Anthony Gordon's winning goal was the flashpoint for the Gunners (
Image:
CameraSport via Getty Images)
Andy Dunn
After being on the wrong end of a couple of VAR judgements at the Emirates earlier this season - when Manchester United were unfortunate to lose 3-1 to Arsenal - Erik ten Hag’s criticism of the officials amounted to the following declaration.
“Definitely, many decisions were against us.”
And that was about it. He was not ‘sick’, he was not ‘ashamed’, he was not ‘embarrassed’, he did not think it was ‘an absolute disgrace’.
But that is because Ten Hag had some class and dignity, both of which were notable by their absence when Mikel Arteta and Arsenal responded to events at St James’ Park.The immediate aftermath of a match is a highly-charged, emotional time for a manager and that means we can cut Arteta some slack.
But there is no excuse for the sheer pomposity, arrogance and utter pointlessness of the official statement from Arsenal Football Club.
The tone of the 120 words of self-righteous bluster is truly dispiriting.
“We ... would welcome working together to achieve the world-class standards our league demands.”
Well, how about telling your players to stop trying to con referees and telling your manager to stop ranting at them as he stomps up and down the touchline?
That might be a start.
The statement declared the refereeing at Newcastle to be ‘unacceptable’ … but the only thing that was unacceptable was Arsenal’s pathetic reaction.
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Mike Walters
All this posturing, with managers jumping in the deep end over VAR bungles and clubs issuing high-handed official statements, is the precursor to an inevitable consequence.
Sooner or later, football matches are going to be settled, or declared null and void, in the courts, not on the pitch.
It seems only a matter of time before one of the big guns - the clubs with more money than wisdom - sue the Premier League and referees' trade union PGMOL for perceived injustices which could cost them millions of pounds if they miss out on the title, a Champions League place or prize money.
M'learned friends with the wig and pen will make a fortune, but it won't improve football as a product.
If grievances were settled in the High Court, Wolves would be heading for Europe after all the VAR profanities they have suffered this season - and Gary O'Neil would be a contender as the next England manager instead of looking over his shoulder.
And for what it's worth, this observer's view on VAR remains unchanged: Bin it, burn it, rid the game of this ghastly disease.
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