Arsenal regained top spot in the Premier League with a narrow win over Newcastle, but Spanish manager Mikel Arteta was far from satisfied when he heard the referee’s final whistle.
Mikel Arteta was never happy with the decision not to send off Nick Pope (Image: Getty Images)
Mikel Arteta has claimed that not having Nick Pope sent off against Arsenal could have cost him the Premier League title. The Gunners secured the three points with an early goal from Eberechi Eze as they defeated Eddie Howe’s side 1-0 at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Victory means Arteta’s side regain top spot in the Premier League, despite Manchester City having the upper hand in the game. After the match, Arteta was furious that Newcastle goalkeeper Pope was not sacked after his collision with Victor Gyokeres.
And it was Arsenal’s second successive game to be disqualified by a referee, with Arteta suggesting Man City defender Abdukkodir Kusanov should have been sent off last week.
“In my opinion, I have to say this is a clear red card. I saw it 10 times,” Arteta told a press conference.
“If you’ve ever played football, it’s a red card. It’s the second one in two games because against Manchester City, when Kai Havertz went through, Kusanov fouled him.”
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“1-1, the title is there. This is a red card, guys. So those margins are as well and I hope that changes.”
He added: “The reality of the last two games is that they are happening at key moments when everything is on the line. We need everything to go our way and we haven’t been able to do that.”
“I’m not making excuses. I’m the first one to understand. I didn’t talk about it when we lost the game and when we won because it was a red card. Today it’s a red card in Manchester. It’s a different world. That’s all.”
Asked why Pope was not sacked, Arteta replied: “I don’t know. They will have their opinions. I’m here to give my opinion as someone who has been involved in the game for many years.”
Pope was only given a yellow card for his challenge on Gokeres (Image: Getty Images)
“You talk to one of the players, because there is no keeper in the path of the ball. If the opposite happens, it’s a red card.”
Arsenal will resume play in midweek, playing away to Atletico Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final. After that, all eyes will be on the home game against Fulham.
Kai Havertz and Ebelesi Eze were absent due to injury against Newcastle, and Arteta has some concerns ahead of those games.
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