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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta vented his frustration over refereeing calls that went against his team at "crucial moments" in matches against Manchester City and Newcastle United, arguing they could have significantly altered the outcome of the Premier League title race.
The Gunners watched their nine-point lead at the summit evaporate over just 12 days, most notably following their 2–1 loss to title rivals Man City the previous weekend. Arsenal bounced back with a 1–0 victory over Newcastle on Saturday to retake top spot, but Arteta remained fixated on another contentious decision that went against his side.
Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope was only shown a yellow card after charging out of his penalty area and bringing down a surging Viktor Gyökeres in the 74th minute. The Premier League's Match Center stated the foul was not considered a denial of a clear goalscoring opportunity "due to the close proximity of a Newcastle defender, who had the possibility to claim possession of the ball."
Arteta remained unconvinced. "I have to say as well in my opinion, it is a clear red card. I have watched it 10 times. If you have ever played football, it is a red card."
While the call ultimately did not prevent Arsenal from taking all three points, it did help Newcastle limit them to a single goal — a factor that could prove costly if the title race is ultimately decided by goal difference or goals scored.
Arteta Hits Out at Missed Call in Man City Defeat
Having already criticised on-field official Sam Barratt's call at the Emirates Stadium, Arteta then turned his attention to referee Anthony Taylor for what he considered another missed red card at the Etihad Stadium the previous weekend, claiming Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov made a last-man foul on Kai Havertz in the 53rd minute.
"It is the second time in two games because against Manchester City when Kai Havertz goes through and Khusanov's fouling him at 1–1, the title is there. It is a red card," the 44-year-old said, though he notably stayed silent on the matter immediately after the pivotal defeat.
Eight minutes later, Erling Haaland netted the decisive goal, cutting City's deficit to three points with a game in hand — they subsequently won at Turf Moor against relegation-threatened Burnley in midweek to move to the top. Arsenal have since reclaimed first place, but once again have played one game more.
"So these are the margins as well," Arteta added. "Hopefully that is going to change. Everyone will have their opinion, I am here to give my opinion.
"I'm somebody who has been in the game for a long time. You talk to any of the players because the trajectory, where the ball is, there is no keeper there. If that had happened the other way around, it is a red card."
Arsenal Have No One to Blame for Recent Skid But Themselves
There is little question that Arteta and Arsenal are feeling the weight of what could be a historic collapse. The Gunners went from chasing an unprecedented quadruple to losing the Carabao Cup final, being knocked out of the FA Cup by Championship outfit Southampton, and now battling to maintain their lead in the Premier League.
Arteta continued to direct blame toward officials for his team's recent struggles. "I am saying the reality of the last two games at crucial moments when everything is at stake, we need everything to go our way and it hasn't."
The manager then swiftly — and somewhat ironically — softened his stance. "I am not giving any excuses. I am the first one to understand. I didn't talk about it when we lost the game. I am doing it when we won. It is a red card today. It is a red card in Manchester and the world is different. That's it."
Indeed, had Khusanov been dismissed at the Etihad, the final result may well have looked different. Yet that call does not alter the fact that Arsenal have failed to score more than one goal in each of their last seven matches across all competitions. They have also conceded eight goals in that stretch, with two of their clean sheets coming against Sporting CP in the Champions League.
With their Champions League semifinal against Atlético Madrid and four remaining Premier League fixtures on the horizon, Arteta's squad must look within and find answers to their lack of creativity, goalscoring and an increasingly fragile defence if they are to steady what has become a rapidly listing ship.