Paul Scholes exclusive: Mikel Arteta ‘has to take responsibility’ after Arsenal manager’s VAR criticism

Manchester United great and TNT Sports expert Paul Scholes says the way Mikel Arteta and Arsenal reacted after Saturday’s 1-0 Premier League defeat at Newcastle has left a “sour taste”.

Manager Arteta described the VAR decision to allow Anthony Gordon’s winning goal to stand as a “disgrace”, adding he felt “sick” and “embarrassed”. The VAR checked for three possible issues with the goal - a foul, offside, and whether the ball had gone out of play before the cross which provided the assist.

All three were cleared and the goal stood, handing Arsenal a first top-flight defeat of the season.

Arsenal backed up Arteta’s comments in a statement which described the refereeing as “unacceptable” and claimed “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”.

“Mikel Arteta’s one of the most emotional managers out there," Scholes told TNT Sports, making clear he heard Arteta's comments but had not read the statement.

"I think he’ll probably look back and think I overreacted slightly - or a little bit more than slightly.

“I always associate Arsenal with having class. Class football club, class people running the place. This has left a sour taste - a bad taste in your mouth, that someone like Arsenal can do this. The manager has to take responsibility for it.”

The game at St James’ Park had a number of flashpoints before the goal controversy.

Nearing the end of the first half, Arsenal’s Kai Havertz went in heavily on Sean Longstaff, before Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes appeared to catch Jorginho with his elbow. Both players avoided a red card.

Scholes believes Arsenal need to concentrate on improving their own form, rather than focusing their attention on officiating.

“I don’t think his [Arteta's] team are playing that well - I know they're up there doing OK,” said Scholes.

“His team’s making mistakes, he’s going on about referees and VAR making mistakes - his team are making big mistakes.

“I think the goalkeeping situation has brought question marks, when I don’t think there was any need for it. I think [Aaron] Ramsdale’s done very well.

“OK, he’s probably not as good with his feet, but Ramsdale’s still very capable with his feet and this keeper [David Raya] has come in and he’s making mistakes every single week.

“Scoring goals as well, that seems to be a problem, especially away from home. He has more to worry about than referees.”

Arsenal will attempt to get back on track when they resume their UEFA Champions League campaign at home to Sevilla on Wednesday, live on TNT Sports.

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