Gary Neville slams Arsenal’s statement as ‘WRONG’ after club backed Mikel Arteta for blasting ‘unacceptable refereeing standards’ following Newcastle’s goal… as Jamie Carragher warns the Gunners this is not the moment to ‘batter VAR’

• Controversial Anthony Gordon goal was allowed to stand in 1-0 loss 
• Arsenal released a statement backing Mikel Arteta on Sunday
• Big debates on Man United, Chelsea and Arsenal on It’s All Kicking Off podcast 

Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville have both vehemently criticised Arsenal’s decision to back Mikel Arteta after he slammed the standards of refereeing in England following his side’s 1-0 defeat to Newcastle on Saturday.

Arteta was left fuming after the final whistle at St James’ Park as Anthony Gordon’s match-deciding goal was allowed to stand, while Bruno Guimaraes avoided punishment for a supposed elbow on Jorginho.

Gordon’s decisive strike went through three separate VAR checks before being allowed to stand, with referee Stuart Attwell and VAR official Andy Madley deeming that Joe WIllock had kept the ball in play, Joelinton had not fouled Gabriel and that the goalscorer was onside. 

In a statement on Sunday afternoon, the club said it was backing their manager after ‘yet more unacceptable refereeing and VAR errors’. It added fans, players and managers ‘deserve better’ from the PGMOL.

Carragher and Neville, however, believes Arsenal have unnecessarily poured petrol on an already combustible situation.

Mikel Arteta slammed the standards of refereeing in England following his side’s 1-0 defeat to Newcastle on Saturday

Anthony Gordon’s winner proved to be controversial, with a lengthy VAR check ensuing

Three separate VAR checks were carried out before the goal was allowed to stand 

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Writing on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, Neville said: ‘Arsenal and Liverpool’s statements are wrong. Do it privately. Managers and players make far more mistakes than refs!’ 

Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of Liverpool’s clash against Luton, Carragher said:  ‘This is not a moment to jump on the bandwagon with VAR and just batter people at Stockley Park and the officials because that’s not right.’

Arsenal’s statement is the second time a Premier League feels it has to directly address PGMOL this season.

Last month, Liverpool formally requested the audio between the VAR officials and referee Simon Hooper after their 2-1 defeat to Tottenham on September 30.

The Reds had a Luis Diaz goal ruled out for offside, a decision which PGMOL subsequently admitted was incorrect. 

Liverpool also had two players sent off and lost to a last-minute own goal.

‘I didn’t agree with what Liverpool put out at the time,’ Carragher said on Sky.

Speaking after the loss to Newcastle, Arteta said: ‘How the hell did this goal stand up? It’s incredible. I feel embarrassed. It’s an absolute disgrace that this was allowed. For many reasons it’s not a goal.

Gary Neville questioned Arteta’s comments and Arsenal’s decision to release a statement

‘It’s so difficult to compete at this level. This is nowhere near the [refereeing] level to describe this as the best league in the world. I feel sick to be part of this.’

Arteta added in his post-match interview with Sky Sports: ‘The question is it’s not a goal, it’s simple. For a goal there are certainly things that are not allowed in football.

‘I have to stand here and explain, we lost three points. There’s too much at stake. It’s embarrassing.

‘It’s incredible how the players competed against this team, it makes me sick. I feel sick to be part of this.’

Carragher said after the match he ‘loved Mikel Arteta’s response’ and on Sunday her reiterated the stance, but insisted he did not agree with his comments. 

‘I loved it because I think far too often before and after games managers speak in cliches and don’t really tells us how they feel,’ he said.

Jamie Carragher insisted Arsenal had done the wrong thing by backing Arteta in public

‘I love the fact Mikel Arteta was passionate. He was really honest, he was emotional and it was great TV.

‘But I didn’t actually agreed with what he said in terms of not being happy about VAR.’ 

Meanwhile, Michael Owen, slammed Arteta’s comments and branded Arsenal’s response as ‘classless’.

‘The only (in his words) “embarrassing” and “disgraceful” thing about it was Arteta’s behaviour,’ he wrote on X. 

‘A common occurrence that damages the game more than any incorrect decision. For his club to now release a statement moaning about the standard of officiating is poor and sadly for a team of Arsenal’s standing, totally classless.’

Michael Owen branded Arsenal’s statement in support of Arteta as ‘classless’

In a statement on Sunday, Arsenal 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.’

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