Pep Guardiola defends Arsenal rival Mikel Arteta over post-match outburst at referees

Pep Guardiola accepts that the emotion after a game is ‘difficult to handle’, as he discussed the continuing fall-out of Arsenal’s trip to Newcastle at the weekend.

Mikel Arteta ploughed into the officials after Anthony Gordon’s goal was allowed to stand in Newcastle United’s 1-0 victory at St James’ Park on Saturday, branding the decision an ‘embarrassment’ and a ‘disgrace’.

There had been three potential infringements in the move but VAR were unable to definitively check two of them: whether the ball had gone out of play before Joe Willock crossed into the box and whether Gordon was offside.

Arsenal also felt Gabriel Magalhaes had been bundled over by Joelinton as he attempted to clear the ball, while they were also unhappy that Bruno Guimaraes stayed on the pitch.

Arteta was livid afterwards and has faced criticism for his comments – more so after Arsenal released a statement backing the Spaniard’s words a day later.

Manchester City have not escaped their own refereeing controversies over the last two seasons, while a number of other decisions across the Premier League have resulted in apologies being given from refereeing body PGMOL.

Asked about the weekend’s incident, Guardiola took care over his answer, slowing down to ensure he did not say anything out of line.

The City boss has already served a one-match ban this season after picking up three yellow cards. He looked to take sympathy with Arteta and Arsenal, but made clear he was only expressing his own point of view.

“The emotions after the game, it is difficult for managers right after finishing the game to talk when feelings are so so high,” he said.

“It’s difficult for me to handle – I’m talking for myself, not Mikel or any other managers. It’s not easy. They decide that we cannot talk with the fourth officials or do anything and the situation is quite similar to last season. It hasn’t changed much.”

With the number of high-profile controversies seemingly increasing, Guardiola accepted the issue was a ‘sensitive’ one, also giving sympathy to referees who are under pressure themselves to get every decision right amid increased scrutiny such as the response from Arsenal.

“I don’t know. I don’t remember the past. There have always been problems to solve,” he said in response to a question of whether the standard of refereeing is as bad as he remembers it.

“It’s so sensitive [an] issue right now, what is happening in many games. It’s difficult for the referees too and for all of us. Honestly, I don’t have a clear position because I don’t know where I am.”