Following their 1-0 defeat to Newcastle United on Saturday, Arsenal have called for “urgent” action to be taken on the refereeing standards in the league.
Anthony Gordon’s goal was the match winner as the Magpies ended the Gunners’ unbeaten run in the league.
VAR delayed the game for five minutes before deciding that the goal was a legitimate one, with three situations being checked.
Despite appearing to have crossed the line to go out of play, the ball was adjudged to have been in play in the build-up. Then the officials checked for a foul when Joelinton appeared to shove Gabriel before the goal. Finally, an offside check for the goalscorer Gordon was deemed inconclusive. Each and every check went in Newcastle’s favour.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said post-match that the decision to allow the goal was “embarrassing” and a “disgrace”.
The club have followed his words with an official statement which says that players and fans deserve better.
“Arsenal wholeheartedly supports Mikel Arteta’s post-match comments after yet more unacceptable refereeing and VAR errors on Saturday evening,” the statement read.
“The Premier League is the best league in the world with the best players, coaches and supporters, all of whom deserve better.”
The club further added that they would be open to working with the league in improving standards after calling on the refereeing body, the Professional Games Match Officials, or PGMOL, to address and analyse the issues.
“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.”
Pictured above: Mikel Arteta
Image source: @tomcantonmedia
