What did Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta say about VAR?

MIKEL ARTETA was ranging in his post-match press conference after Arsenal’s controversial 1-0 defeat at Newcastle earlier this month.

The Spaniard’s fury was due to Anthony Gordon’s 64th-minute match winner, which survived THREE VAR checks.

Mikel Arteta was left fuming after Arsenal’s controversial 1-0 loss to NewcastleGETTY

The separate checks on the goal lasted a total of four minutes and six seconds – while officials at Stockley Park were trying to decide if there was an offside or foul involved, as well as seeing if the ball went out in the build-up.

Arteta could be staring at a potential touchline ban from the FA for his comments about officials after the game on Tyneside.

The FA intervened, after receiving the Arsenal manager’s “observations” in response to an initial inquiry from Wembley disciplinary chiefs.

In a statement, the FA said: “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.

“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 this charge.”

It means a decision on punishment will be made before Arsenal’s next Premier League game at Brentford on November 25.

What did Mikel Arteta say about VAR?

Arteta was left fuming with the decisions against his side in Arsenal’s clash with Newcastle at St James’ Park – and he let his feelings be known in his interview with Sky Sports.

The Gunners boss said: “I have praised my players for the performance and the way that we played – we didn’t deserve to lose the match.

“We lost the match because of the clear and obvious decisions. It’s embarrassing. It’s a disgrace. That’s what it is, a disgrace.”

And when asked if he will be taking up his frustrations with the PGMOL, Arteta made it clear he would be escalating things.

He said: “Yeah. We will be taking it for many months. There is so much at stake and we put in so many hours.

“I am here to represent the football club and to get my team to compete at the highest level.

“The margins are so small. It’s a disgrace. It’s embarrassing. That’s how I feel and that’s how everyone feels in that room [the dressing room].

“You cannot imagine the amount of messages that we’ve got saying ‘this cannot continue’. It’s embarrassing, I’m sorry, embarrassing.”

What did Arsenal’s official statement say?

Arsenal issued a statement on November 5 in support of Mikel Arteta following his passionate rant about VAR.

It read: “Arsenal Football Club wholeheartedly supports Mikel Arteta’s post-match comments after yet more unacceptable refereeing and VAR errors on Saturday evening.

“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.”