Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta sharply criticised the level of refereeing after the 1:0 win over Newcastle. According to the specialist, the opposing goalkeeper Nick Pope should have been sent off for his rough play on Viktor Gyökeres. Despite the VAR check, the referee limited himself to merely showing the goalkeeper a yellow card. Goal.com reports.
Arteta emphasised that in the last two matches the referees have made unjust decisions against his team. The coach recalled that in the match against Manchester City, Abdukodir Khusanov also did not receive a red card in the situation involving a foul on Kai Havertz. In his view, mistakes in such important moments directly affect the championship race.
"I have reviewed this situation ten times. If you have played football, you know this is a clear red card. If the situation were reversed, our footballer would have been sent off. I am telling the truth not only when we lose, but also when we win," Arteta said at the post-match press conference.
Despite the victory, losses appeared in the Arsenal squad. Team leaders Kai Havertz and goal scorer Eberechi Eze were forced to leave the field due to injuries. Now their participation in the Champions League semi-final match against Atlético is in question.
