Mikel Arteta Charged By The FA

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been charged by the FA following his comments two weeks ago after Arsenal lost to Newcastle at St. James Park following a controversial VAR decision.

Mikel Arteta branded the decision to award Newcastle’s goal a "disgrace” as the result saw Arsenal lose 1-0. The ball had appeared to go out of play, and then Joelinton appeared to foul the Arsenal defender Gabriel, as well as an offside check on Anthony Gordon, the goalscorer. After a lengthy three minutes, the VAR awarded the goal as evidence proved inconclusive to overturn the on-field decision.

On the latest edition of the refereeing show, Match Officials Mic’Up, PGMOL chief Howard Webb upheld the decision to award the goal as the correct decision.

In a statement by the FA, Arteta has been charged with breaching FA Rule E3.1 following his comments and it is alleged his comments “constitute misconduct as they are insulting towards match officials and/or detrimental to the game.” It further reads by alleging that his comments “bring the game into disrepute”.

Arteta has until Tuesday, November 21 to respond to the charge.

Arsenal FC had also issued a club statement backing Mikel Arteta’s comments after the game “after yet more unacceptable refereeing and VAR errors.”

Arsenal are back in action on Saturday, November 25 against Brentford away and would hope to get all three points to solidify their title chances while heaping pressure on Manchester City as they hope to get the better of the Treble winners this season.