Thierry Henry admits that days after Arsenal’s 1-0 defeat to Newcastle United he was ‘surprised’ that Mikel Arteta was still talking about the VAR issues from that game.
The Arsenal legend says he understands Mikel Arteta’s initial frustration from a game where he felt that his team were ‘robbed’.
Not only did the former Manchester City coach let rip at the decision to allow Anthony Gordon’s controversial goal to stand, but the club themselves released a statement backing their manager’s comments – Joe Cole blasted the Arsenal board.
That’s where Thierry Henry thinks Mikel Arteta should have left it and concentrated on what’s ahead, rather than continue to talk about it, as he told CBS Sports on Paramount+ (08/11/23 at 7:30 pm).
Whether it was the right or wrong call to award the goal, or whether the outburst afterwards was correct or not.
You just know that some sort of FA fine or touchline ban is heading Mikel Arteta’s way, with Thierry Henry sharing his thoughts on the whole matter.
Thierry Henry on Mikel Arteta
“The manager behaved like a manager would behave at the end of the game,” said Henry. “I have been in that situation when you feel like your team got robbed. You don’t look at the opposition.
“At the end of the game, you need to understand when the coach goes to speak to the press, he can’t cool off, at that moment. It’s very difficult for him to not get upset about what happened.
“What I think was a bit annoying for him is what he did say about the Liverpool goal at Tottenham. ‘They are trying to make the best decisions. We need to understand that mistakes happen’. He is talking about the referees. And then when it happens to your team, we can see what he said. It’s something you always do as a coach. You defend your team and you defend your players.
“Where I was still surprised was they still mention it three or four days after the club actually made a statement, whether you like it or you don’t. You could have left it there and say ‘look the club talked. Let’s move on and concentrate on the game against Sevilla’, which as a coach is difficult because you are trying to front for your team. You are trying to make sure to say ‘guys, I am with you. I am going to go out there and talk’.
“I don’t think it was necessary to reiterate that three to four days after. But as a coach, you are always going to defend your team.”
Arsenal beat Sevilla
Yes, that Anthony Gordon goal was very controversial, but it shouldn’t hide how poor Arsenal were, not forgetting that they were knocked out of the League Cup by West Ham United.
That’s why it was paramount for the Premier League title hopefuls, after back-to-back defeats, to record a much-needed win.
That came in the form of a 2-0 win over a tricky Sevilla side in the Champions League on Wednesday night, as the London club probably just need another win to book their ticket to the knockout stages.
So far, Arsenal are doing well in juggling all these competitions, but the real test will come after the festive period is over and when the final few months of the season hits the fan.
