Arteta has only one problem to solve now until He solve it before they can really compete for Title’: Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp tells Arteta the Key area He needs to focus on in other to compete for Titles
Mikel Arteta was furious in the aftermath of Arsenal’s 1-0 defeat to Newcastle United on Saturday evening. The Spaniard had just witnessed his side lose for the first time in the Premier League this season and VAR was yet again a major talking point.
The game was ultimately decided by Anthony Gordon’s 64th minute strike, but there were several controversies surrounding the awarding of the goal, including the ball seemingly going out of play, a foul on Gabriel and a potential offside.
The decision prompted a furious response from Arteta in his post-match press conference. “We have to talk about the result because you have to talk about how the hell this goal stand ups and it’s incredible,” he said. “I feel embarrassed but I have to be the one now coming here to try to defend the club and please ask for help, because it’s an absolute disgrace that this goal is allowed; it’s an absolute disgrace.”
Arsenal backed their manager in a statement released on the club’s website on Sunday, and called on the PGMOL to do more to avoid further mistakes. “Arsenal Football Club wholeheartedly supports Mikel Arteta’s post-match comments after yet more unacceptable refereeing and VAR errors on Saturday evening,” it read. “We’d also like to acknowledge the huge effort and performance from our players and travelling supporters at St James’ Park.
“The Premier League is the best league in the world with the best players, coaches and supporters, all of whom deserve better. PGMOL urgently needs to address the standard of officiating and focus on action which moves us all on from retrospective analysis, attempted explanations and apologies. We support the ongoing efforts of Chief Refereeing Officer, Howard Webb and would welcome working together to achieve the world-class officiating standards our league demands.”
VAR (Video Assistant Referees) has split opinion since it was introduced to the Premier League at the beginning of the 2019-2020 season. Some managers have publicly spoken out about it, with Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp doing just that in December 2020.
The German was asked for his opinion on VAR moments after Liverpool drew 1-1 with Midtjylland in the Champions League. The match was slowed by three second-half VAR decisions, including a late winner for Takumi Minamino which was chalked off.
“It just took too long. I think in the end, I didn’t see it back, the decisions were right but it was so difficult. It took three or four minutes and it was cold for the boys,” Klopp said.
“It is really hard and I could hear people saying ‘oh my God’. It took really long and it was really cold, which doesn’t help.
“I used to be one of the people who said VAR is a good idea – I’m really not sure if I would say that again to be honest. But now we have it.” Of course, there are differences between what happened during Arsenal’s defeat to Newcastle and Liverpool’s draw with Midtjylland, but Klopp’s comments just under three years ago are still interesting nevertheless. Arteta might just now share the same opinion.
