Angry Mikel Arteta slams red card decisions after Arsenal beat Newcastle

Mikel Arteta has claimed that everything would be different for his Arsenal team in the Premier League title race if Manchester City had been reduced to ten men in last Sunday’s pivotal game at the Eithad Stadium.

The Arsenal manager insisted that the City defender, Abdukodir Khusanov, should have been sent off for a last-man foul on Kai Havertz in the 53rd minute with the score at 1-1. City went on to win 2-1. Arteta said nothing afterwards about an incident that did not generate much controversy, the consensus being Khusanov had defended his position fairly.

But Arteta spoke out after Arsenal had beaten Newcastle 1-0 at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday to move three points back in front of City at the top of the table, albeit having played an extra match. It was another occasion in which Arteta felt the opposition should have had a red card – specifically for the Newcastle goalkeeper, Nick Pope.

With Arsenal 1-0 up thanks to Eberechi Eze’s early goal, Pope left his area to clear in the 74th minute only to miss the ball and foul the Arsenal substitute, Viktor Gyökeres, with his follow-through. Newcastle had Malick Thiaw covering between both players and the goal. Pope was booked and when the video assistant referee checked for a possible red, the decision was there was not enough in it to merit an upgrade.

Nick Pope brings down Viktor Gyökeres during Arsenal’s win at the Emirates. Photograph: Mark Leech/Offside/Getty Images

“It’s a clear red card,” Arteta said. “I’ve watched it ten times. If you have ever played football, it is a red card. It’s the second time in two games because I guess Manchester City, when Kai Havertz goes through, Khusanov fouls him, 1-1, the title is there … it is a red card, guys. So these are the margins as well and hopefully that’s going to change.

“I’m here to give my opinion and somebody that has been in the game for a long time … you talk to any of the players, because the trajectory of where the ball is, there’s no keeper there. If that were to happen the other way around, it’s a red card.