Arsenal’s Premier League defeat to Newcastle United was marred by VAR controversy, and Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp’s remarks about VAR three years ago speak volumes.
Mikel Arteta was enraged following Arsenal’s 1-0 loss to Newcastle United on Saturday evening. The Spaniard had just witnessed his team lose for the first time this season in the Premier League, and VAR was once again a major talking point.
Anthony Gordon’s 64th-minute strike ultimately decided the game, but there were several controversies surrounding the goal’s awarding, including the ball seemingly going out of play, a foul on Gabriel, and a potential offside.
The decision prompted a furious response from Arteta in his post-match press conference. “We have to talk about the result because you have to talk about how the hell this goal stand ups and it’s incredible,” he said. “I feel embarrassed but I have to be the one now coming here to try to defend the club and please ask for help, because it’s an absolute disgrace that this goal is allowed; it’s an absolute disgrace.”
In a statement posted on the club’s website on Sunday, Arsenal backed their manager and urged the PGMOL to do more to avoid future blunders. “Arsenal Football Club wholeheartedly supports Mikel Arteta’s post-match comments after yet more unacceptable refereeing and VAR errors on Saturday evening,” the statement said. “We’d also like to thank our players and traveling supporters for their tremendous effort and performance at St James’ Park.”
“The Premier League is the best league in the world, with the best players, coaches, and fans who all deserve better.” PGMOL must address the standard of officiating immediately and focus on action that moves us all forward from retrospective analysis, attempted explanations, and apologies. We applaud Chief Refereeing Officer Howard Webb’s ongoing efforts and look forward to working with him to achieve the world-class officiating standards that our league requires.”
VAR (Video Assistant Referees) has divided opinion since its debut in the Premier League at the start of the 2019-2020 season. Some managers have spoken out publicly about it, with Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp doing so in December 2020.
The German was asked about VAR shortly after Liverpool drew 1-1 with Midtjylland in the Champions League. Three second-half VAR decisions slowed the game, including a late winner for Takumi Minamino that was overturned.
“It just took too long. I think in the end, I didn’t see it back, the decisions were right but it was so difficult. It took three or four minutes and it was cold for the boys,” Klopp said.
“It is really hard and I could hear people saying ‘oh my God’. It took really long and it was really cold, which doesn’t help.
“I used to be one of the people who said VAR is a good idea – I’m really not sure if I would say that again to be honest. But now we have it.” Of course, there are differences between what happened during Arsenal’s defeat to Newcastle and Liverpool’s draw with Midtjylland, but Klopp’s comments just under three years ago are still interesting nevertheless. Arteta might just now share the same opinion.
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