Mikel Arteta blames VAR for Arsenal’s defeat against Everton.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has blamed VAR and not pre-match protests from Arsenal fans as Bernd Leno’s own goal saw his side lose 1-0 at home to Ancelotti men.
Arteta also pointed out the need of the Gunners fans and Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke to find a way to repair their broken relationship after the game was overshadowed by huge protests against the unpopular American owner following the ESL shambles.
Ahead of the Arsenal game, thousands of Arsenal supporters marched on the ground to protest against the club’s owners.
Arteta was quick to point out that his team requires his supporters more than ever. He said:
‘It is a relationship that has to come together from both parties and some probably giving some opportunities and one showing they want to be closer to them.
‘Now my biggest challenge is to get them inside the stadium and show that passion and that togetherness and unity because the team is desperate for them to be closer.’
Everton finally were able to leave Emirates with all three points following goalkeeper Leno’s own goal after he turned Richarlison cross into his own net to give the Toffees a 1-0 win, which marked their first away to Arsenal in 25 years.
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However, Mikel Arteta refused to pinpoint the fans protests as a distraction for his players. The angry fans had arrived five hours before kick-off to avoid any issues outside the stadium.
The Spaniard turned his ire to a VAR call which saw a penalty for a foul on Dani Ceballos ruled out for a narrow offside against Nicolas Pepe in the build-up.
Arteta was asked whether the protests had impacted on the result, and he said:
“No, we knew that was happening and that our fans wanted to express their feelings and we made preparations with that in mind and it is not an excuse.
‘We lost the game because when we had to define the game in the crucial moments, we had no clear chances and then we concede an own goal and when we earned the right to score, with the decisions that was taken away.”
Arteta was clearly annoyed by the VAR call against Pepe and was bullish when asked if the decision had made him angry.
“Obviously, it has because this has been building up and enough is enough and today I have had enough.”
“We have had many of them that no one explains and when they do explain they say “sorry, it was a mistake” but unfortunately it is affecting a lot of people and it is affecting our job and most importantly our football club.
“I cannot understand it, I have been in football long enough and I watch it 10 times, and still if I want to find it, I can’t find it.”
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