05 November 2023 , 15:05
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Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer has hit back at Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta after he was left raging following his side's controversial 1-0 defeat at St James' Park.
Anthony Gordon scored the only goal of the game for Newcastle, which was allowed to stand after a lengthy VAR check was unable to determine whether the ball was completely out of play or not in the build up.
There were also two additional checks for a possible foul and an offside and Arteta branded the decision to award the goal "embarrassing" in his post-match press conference. "We didn't deserve to lose the match playing in their ground and we lose because of clear and obvious decisions," Arteta fumed.
"It is embarrassing, it is a disgrace, that's what it is, a disgrace. We've been taking it up (with the PGMOL) for months. There is too much at stake, we put in so many hours. I'm 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, embarrassing.
"It is how I feel. The amount of messages we've sent saying this cannot continue. I'm sorry, embarrassing. I'm defending my players when I have to, I defend my job when it is not good enough. I have to be here, to say it now, it is not acceptable, too much at stake.
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"We have to talk about the result and talk about how the hell this goal stands. I feel embarrassed, I have to be the one to come in here and defend the club and ask for help because it is a disgrace that this goal is allowed."
And Shearer, who scored more than 200 goals for Newcastle, has responded to Arteta's comments on social media. After BBC Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker wrote on Twitter "Mikel Arteta having a proper rant post match, 'It’s embarrassing. It’s a disgrace'", Shearer simply replied: "What was ?"
In the wake of the defeat and Arteta's comments, Arsenal have released a statement slamming "unacceptable refereeing and VAR errors". They said: " 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."