Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed his deep disappointment and frustration following his team's 1-0 defeat to Newcastle United, during which Anthony Gordon scored a controversial goal. Arteta didn't hold back in his post-match comments, using strong language to criticize the match officials and question the standards of the Premier League.
Arteta's frustration was primarily directed at the contentious goal, which was allowed after a lengthy triple VAR assessment that lasted four minutes and six seconds. The assessment aimed to determine if the ball had gone out of play, whether there was a foul in the build-up, and if there was an offside.
"How the hell did this goal stand up? It's embarrassing what happened. How this goal stands, in the Premier League - this league that we say is the best in the world," Arteta passionately stated at the beginning of his emotional post-match press conference.
He went on to express his disappointment, saying, "I've been 20 years in this country, and now I feel ashamed. It's a disgrace. It's not good enough. I feel embarrassed to be a part of this."
The pivotal moment in the match occurred in the 64th minute when Gordon broke the deadlock, firing past Arsenal's goalkeeper David Raya from close range following a goalmouth scramble.
Arteta's frustration continued as he remarked, "It's embarrassing. That's how I feel, and that's how everybody feels in that (dressing) room."
He also revealed the overwhelming response from fans and the football community, saying, "You cannot imagine the amount of messages we've got saying this cannot continue. I feel sick. That's how I feel. I feel sick to be a part of this."
This defeat marked Arsenal's first loss in the league this season, leaving them in third place, three points behind the leaders, Manchester City, and two points behind Tottenham Hotspur, who were set to play on Monday.