Mikel Arteta furiously slams "embarrassing and disgraceful" Newcastle goal

04 November 2023 , 20:09

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Mikel Arteta was far from impressed

Mikel Arteta claimed Newcastle's winning goal was "embarrassing" and a "disgrace" as he saw Arsenal's unbeaten run come to an end.

The Gunners tasted defeated for the first time in the Premier League as Anthony Gordon scored the winner, which was heavily scrutinised by VAR as Arsenal's players immediately surrounded the referee. They originally claimed the ball had gone out of play in the build-up.

Gabriel also appealed for a foul as he and Joelinton leapt for a header seconds before Gordon fired into an empty net. VAR checked three different things before eventually giving the goal, although Stockley Park conceded they didn't have all the necessary angles.

Arteta told the BBC: "Embarrassing what happened - how this goal stands, in the Premier League - this league we say is the best in the world. I've been 20 years in this country and now I feel ashamed. It's a disgrace and there's too much at stake here. We are trying to do incredible things and be at the highest level each week.

"When we're not good enough I hold my hands up and take responsibility. The outcome is nowhere near the level this league needs to have and the way this league is getting competed in. It's not good enough. I feel embarrassed to be part of this."

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The Gunners' loss means they could finish the weekend in fourth with Liverpool potentially leapfrogging them. Neighbours Tottenham, who began the weekend top, can also open up a four-point gap over their north London rivals.

Anthony Gordon fired in Newcastle's winner

Arteta added on his team's performance: "I have praised my players for the way they played and competed in this stadium against this team. The result should not be what it is - there are many reasons for that. If there was a team looking to win the game today it was Arsenal.

Gordon said on his strike, which left him with a nervous wait: "I don't know how many checks there were [on the goal] but I was just hoping it was alright. It was amazing to score, what a game. It shows our togetherness, we're a real team and we show that in every game. We've had some really good results this year - but we've just shown our togetherness.

Samuel Meade