Alan Shearer makes Mikel Arteta claim as Mark Clattenburg issues Arsenal decision verdict

Arsenal are now preparing for Champions League action after a slip-up in the Premier League on Saturday evening. The Gunners lost narrowly away to Newcastle United, and while there is plenty of time remaining, they lost ground in the Premier League title race.

Attention now turns to a home clash with Sevilla in the Champions League, and a win would go a long way towards securing safe passage to the knockout stages. In the meantime, we have rounded up all the latest news and transfer rumours surrounding the Emirates Stadium.

Shearer criticism

Alan Shearer has issued his verdict on Mikel Arteta's outburst after Arsenal's defeat to Newcastle United.

“I listened to Mikel Arteta after the game, he was obviously very angry, I get that, I understand because you’re in the throw of things after the game, it’s very emotional, it’s very hard, I’ve been in that position myself, you’re very angry," Shearer said on The Rest is Football Podcast. "I didn’t once hear him say Kai Havertz should have been sent off, by the way. When I read Arsenal’s statement I didn’t hear them mention Kai Havertz didn’t get sent off and perhaps should have. In my opinion it should have been a red card. Did you see Mikel Arteta’s comments after they got a decision that went for them against Liverpool? He said, ‘we have to understand and we have to support our referees, they are humans, they will make errors and we have to support them’.

“Honestly, I’ve been in that position, I felt as if when I was the manager of Newcastle we were robbed of that decision in that game against Fulham at St James’ Park. I was angry as I’ve ever been when that decision went against us, a goal was given. I get how hard it is, and I get that the manager is trying to make his point, I just can’t agree with what was said after the game and Arsenal’s statement.”

Clattenburg weighs in

Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg believes the Newcastle goal that sparked all that anger should have been ruled out. He told the Daily Mail: "The whole goal didn’t feel right and if there was a moment to disallow it then it was this as Joelinton clearly pushed Gabriel."

On the ball potentially being out, he added: "There wasn’t a camera angle available to the VAR that could have conclusively ruled that the ball was out of play, so the on-field decision has to stand."