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Arteta has been charged by the Football Association for comments he made following Arsenal’s defeat to Newcastle earlier this month.
The FA has charged Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta for comments he made about officials during his team’s 1-0 loss to Newcastle United earlier this month.
The Gunners arrived at St James’ Park as one of two unbeaten teams in the 2023-24 Premier League season, along with archrivals Tottenham Hotspur, whom they could have surpassed with all three points against Eddie Howe’s team.
Arteta’s men, on the other hand, suffered their first defeat of the season in highly contentious circumstances, as a second-half Anthony Gordon strike settled a tense match in the North East.
Gordon’s winner, however, was marred by controversy because Arsenal expected the linesman’s flag to be raised to indicate the ball had gone out of play, but Joe Willock just about kept the attack alive before sending a cross into the box.
Joelinton appeared to push compatriot Gabriel Magalhaes in the back as he headed the ball down into the six-yard box, where Gordon was on hand to crash home from a couple of yards.
Gordon’s goal required three VAR checks before being awarded, and Arsenal, who were missing chief creator Martin Odegaard due to injury, had no response in the time remaining.
Prior to Gordon’s decisive effort, both Kai Havertz and Bruno Guimaraes avoided red cards in the first half, with the former receiving a yellow card for a reckless challenge on Sean Longstaff before Guimaraes appeared to elbow Jorginho in the head.
Arteta Reacts to Newcastle Loss
Following the defeat at St James’ Park, a furious Arteta called the manner of his team’s defeat a “disgrace,” adding that he was “sick” and “embarrassed” by the Premier League’s level of officiating.
Arsenal also backed their manager in a strong club statement, blasting the Premier League’s “unacceptable” officiating standards amid a rash of contentious VAR decisions this season.
The Spaniard is in hot water with the FA, who have accused him of making “insulting” comments that could bring the game into “disrepute,” and he has until next Tuesday to respond.
“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,” a statement from the club stated.
“It is alleged that his comments constitute misconduct because they are insulting to match officials, harmful to the game, and/or bring the game into disrepute.” Mikel Arteta has until Tuesday, November 21st, to respond to the charge.”
Tottenham now have the final unbeaten record in the Premier League after Arsenal’s defeat at St James’ Park, though the Lilywhites soon lost their own golden streak in a 4-1 thrashing at the hands of Chelsea.
The Gunners have won back-to-back home games against Sevilla and Burnley to move into third place in the Premier League table, level on points with Liverpool and one point behind Manchester City ahead of their trip to Brentford on November 25.
