Fuming Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta insists his side were robbed of ‘two’ certain late spot kicks
>
‘It was two outrageous penalties’: Furious Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta insists his team were robbed of ‘two’ certain late shots against Newcastle as the Gunners were denied victory in a spirited clash
Mikel Arteta insisted his team should have been awarded ‘two penalties’ in a 0-0 draw with Newcastle on Tuesday night at the Emirates.
The Spaniard was visibly frustrated in the latter stages of the game, protesting against the perceived unfairness towards his side and the visitors’ time-wasting attempts as they sought a draw against the leaders.
And although he was involved in a touchline dispute with opposite number Eddie Howe in response to his protests, his team ultimately did not receive the penalties he thought they deserved.
Mikel Arteta was furious that his team did not receive two ‘outrageous’ penalties on Tuesday
“Extremely proud of my players,” he told Sky Sports after the game. ‘The way we played, dominated the game, tried and continued to control the game.
‘We needed that spark in the last third. We had many situations. And when he had two scandalous penalties.
“There were two penalties. It’s very simple. I’m talking about what I’ve seen. They were two scandalous penalties. I’m very proud of the job we’ve done.
‘I think we lacked an extra touch or a movement to make those occasions come true in this match.
Arteta was involved in a feud with Eddie Howe over his late-game protests.
‘Newcastle wanted to set it up like this. It’s not the way they play. They haven’t prepared like that against anyone else.
‘When you can’t win, you can’t lose and we kept a clean sheet and had a very good performance. Now we go again. I wanted to win the game if we tied it.
“We should have done some things better in the last third and we should have had two penalties to win the game.”
The Arsenal boss frequently protested decisions during the affair in the Emirates.
The Gunners had called for a dubious penalty in particular in the fifth minute of added time at the Emirates, claiming a handball.
However, both referee Andrew Madley and VAR rejected the calls, prompting vociferous complaints from Arteta.
And Newcastle boss Howe seemed particularly aggrieved by his actions when he waded in while the Spaniard was complaining to the fourth official.
Howe and Arteta shook hands after the final whistle seemingly ending the feud.
The two were briefly involved in a resulting feud, though they shook hands after the final whistle, appearing to make amends.
“At that stage of the game you’re thinking: ‘Please don’t,'” the Newcastle boss told Sky Sports. ‘The boys have given a lot to the game.
It would have been a farce for us. I didn’t think it was a penalty just because of the proximity but you never know, but I’m delighted. With me and Mikel, everything is fine.
Magpies boss Howe thinks it would have been a ‘travesty on us’ if the penalty had been given
“I think it was a very, very good defensive display. The group mentality, I think you saw some real teamwork today.
‘We weren’t defending in ones, it was two and three, very much a collective effort across the pitch.
“I think Arsenal are very, very good, they give you different problems and they really demand you, and we knew defensively we needed to be rock solid.”