Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta must face scrutiny for trying to fix something that was not broken, says chief football writer Phil McNulty.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta will pick through the wreckage of what he perceived - to put it very mildly - as a gross injustice on Tyneside, before turning attention to the shortcomings of his own team.
"Embarrassing what happened," said Arteta. "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. There's too much at stake here.
Which brings us neatly on to the football match that, only at times, threatened to break out - and Arsenal's part in it. No-one can question the acquisition of Declan Rice. He is top class in every respect and was one of the few players attempting to provide some composure and direction amid the human stock-car racing that characterised so much of what went on here.In among the VAR pantomime of the winning goal, Raya was once again culpable with a poor, flailing attempt to deal with Joe Willock's cross before that tangle between Joelinton and Gabriel ended with Gordon scoring.
Havertz, poor challenge on Sean Longstaff aside, cruised through the game in his usual languid style to little or no effect. Arteta's decision to pay Chelsea £65m for the German was a surprise at the time and currently carries the air of a vanity project.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Arsenal: Mikel Arteta sends Granit Xhaka message to Kai HavertzThe German is taking some time to adapt to his new midfield role.
Read more »
Mikel Arteta speaks out on Arsenal star Ben White's England snubArsenal boss Mikel Arteta speaks to the media ahead of his side's Premier League clash with Newcastle.
Read more »
Newcastle vs Arsenal: Mikel Arteta explains Martin Odegaard absenceThe Norwegian playmaker was a surprise absentee from the team sheet.
Read more »
Arsenal: Furious Mikel Arteta slams Newcastle's controversial VAR goalThe Spaniard launched into an explosive tirade after the game.
Read more »
Mikel Arteta slams 'embarrassing' and 'disgraceful' Newcastle goal as Arsenal suffer Premier League defeatMikel Arteta has described the controversial decision to award Newcastle's winning goal against Arsenal as 'disgraceful' and 'embarrassing'.
Read more »
Arsenal: Furious Mikel Arteta slams Newcastle's controversial VAR goalThe Spaniard launched into an explosive tirade after the game.
Read more »