‘Clear and obvious’ – Angry Mikel Arteta blast VAR for their nonsense response to controversial refereeing decisions in Asenal defeat to Aston Villa

‘Clear and obvious’ – Mikel Arteta gives cryptic response to controversial refereeing decisions in Asenal defeat to Aston Villa

Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta was in no mood to comment on the controversial decisions that went against his side in their 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa.

Article continues below
Arsenal beaten 1-0 by Aston Villa
Had penalty and goal claims dismissed
Arteta refused to criticise decisions
WHAT HAPPENED?
John McGinn’s first-half strike was enough for the home team to take the three points from Saturday’s Premier League match at Villa Park. However, Arsenal felt they should have been given a penalty after Douglas Luiz kicked the back of Gabriel Jesus’ leg in a challenge for the ball and then the visitors were denied an equaliser as the referee ruled that it hit Kai Havertz’s hand before Eddie Nketiah knocked it into the net.

NEXT MATCHES
UEFA Champions League
PSV
PSV
12 Dec 2023
18:45
ARS
Arsenal
Match Preview
UEFA Europa Conference League
ZRI
Zrinjski
14 Dec 2023
18:45
AVL
Aston Villa
Match Preview
Mikel Arteta Arsenal 2023-24Getty Images
WHAT ARTETA SAID
Arteta was asked for his thoughts on the penalty claim in his post-match press conference, but he replied simply: “Clear and obvious.”

Pressed on whether he thought both decisions were wrong, he said: “No, no, clear and obvious.”

When interviewed by BBC Sports about those calls, he said the same thing: “It’s clear and obvious for me.”

Sky Sports asked him if he has an opinion on the decisions, to which he replied: “I do, big opinion.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE
Arteta, who was absent from the touchline because of a yellow card suspension, perhaps chose to remain quiet following his infamous rant about Newcastle’s winning goal against his side in November. He launched a tirade, saying: “Embarrassing what happened – how this goal stands, in the Premier League – this league we say is the best in the world. I’ve been 20 years in this country and now I feel ashamed. It’s a disgrace and there’s too much at stake here.”

Those comments landed him a misconduct charge from the Football Association and the Spaniard is scheduled to appear at a hearing with the governing body over the issue.

‘Clear and obvious’ – Mikel Arteta gives cryptic response to controversial refereeing decisions in Asenal defeat to Aston Villa

Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta was in no mood to comment on the controversial decisions that went against his side in their 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa.

Article continues below
Arsenal beaten 1-0 by Aston Villa
Had penalty and goal claims dismissed
Arteta refused to criticise decisions
WHAT HAPPENED?
John McGinn’s first-half strike was enough for the home team to take the three points from Saturday’s Premier League match at Villa Park. However, Arsenal felt they should have been given a penalty after Douglas Luiz kicked the back of Gabriel Jesus’ leg in a challenge for the ball and then the visitors were denied an equaliser as the referee ruled that it hit Kai Havertz’s hand before Eddie Nketiah knocked it into the net.

NEXT MATCHES
UEFA Champions League
PSV
PSV
12 Dec 2023
18:45
ARS
Arsenal
Match Preview
UEFA Europa Conference League
ZRI
Zrinjski
14 Dec 2023
18:45
AVL
Aston Villa
Match Preview
Mikel Arteta Arsenal 2023-24Getty Images
WHAT ARTETA SAID
Arteta was asked for his thoughts on the penalty claim in his post-match press conference, but he replied simply: “Clear and obvious.”

Pressed on whether he thought both decisions were wrong, he said: “No, no, clear and obvious.”

When interviewed by BBC Sports about those calls, he said the same thing: “It’s clear and obvious for me.”

Sky Sports asked him if he has an opinion on the decisions, to which he replied: “I do, big opinion.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE
Arteta, who was absent from the touchline because of a yellow card suspension, perhaps chose to remain quiet following his infamous rant about Newcastle’s winning goal against his side in November. He launched a tirade, saying: “Embarrassing what happened – how this goal stands, in the Premier League – this league we say is the best in the world. I’ve been 20 years in this country and now I feel ashamed. It’s a disgrace and there’s too much at stake here.”

Those comments landed him a misconduct charge from the Football Association and the Spaniard is scheduled to appear at a hearing with the governing body over the issue.