Mikel Arteta Furious With VAR Decision To Allow Newcastle's Goal In Arsenal's 1-0 Defeat.

Arsenal's unbeaten start to the Premier League season came to an end with a 1-0 defeat against Newcastle United at St James' Park on Saturday evening.

Mikel Arteta’s men had maintained their unbeaten run through big games against Manchester United, Tottenham, Man City and Chelsea, but they faced a Newcastle side full of confidence after a 3-0 victory over Man United at Old Trafford in midweek Caraboa Cup game.

The closely contested encounter against the Gunners started with both clubs working hard to open the scoring, as Newcastle matched Arsenal in pace and power, demonstrating why they currently play in the UEFA Champions League.

In a first half of few chances, tempers flared, resulting in four bookings in the final eight minutes of the first half, as both sides who finished in the top four last season, were unable to score a goal.

Kai Havertz reckless challenge on Sean Longstaff saw him narrowly avoid a red card, while three Newcastle players were booked for their protests.

The game improved after the break, with both teams having a clear desire to break the deadlock, but it was the home side that finally found the back of the net through Anthony Gordon, who finished from close-range in the 64th minute courtesy of David Raya mistake of missing the ball while attempting to pick out a cross.

Gordon had to endure an agonising long wait for the goal to be confirmed while three different criteria were checked by the Video Assistant Referee; a possible ball out of play, a possible foul, and a possible offside leading to the goal.

First, there was a Newcastle cross that went close to going over the byline before Joe Willock gathered it and sent in a cross into the box that led to the goal.

Then the VAR officials looked at whether Arsenal defender Gabriel had been fouled by Joelinton before the ball fell to Gordon to score. 

But the referee, Stuart Atwell, did not think it was a foul and VAR did not find enough evidence to overturn his decision.

Then the VAR officials had to determine whether Gordon was offside before scoring, but they were reportedly unable to make a definitive decision because of the lack of video evidence available to them.

The VAR check was subject to four-minute, as the goal was finally awarded to the Magpies.

Newcastle further displayed aggression and discipline, tracking every Arsenal move and defending against the Gunners’ attacks effectively despite Mikel Arteta making some attacking substitutes in the final 20 minutes, his side without playmaker Matin Odegaard couldn't find a way back into the game, and now face being left behind in the early weeks of the title race.

The memorable win moves Eddie Howe's men up to sixth in the table, extending their unbeaten run to seven game, while Arsenal miss chance to move level on points with leaders Man City following the champions' 6-1 victory at home to Bournemouth earlier in the day. 

The Gunners are third, two points behind north London rivals Tottenham who can move further clear when they face Chelsea on Monday night.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was furious with the decision to allow the Newcastle's goal.

"It's a disgrace," Arteta told Sky Sports. "It's embarrassing what happened, how this goal stands in the Premier League? This league we say is the best in the world.

"I feel sick. That's how I feel a d that's how everybody feels in the dressing room.

" I feel sick to be part of this. It is not good enough and we cannot accept that. You cannot imagine the amount of messages we've got saying this cannot continue. It's embarrassing. I'm sorry, embarrassing.

"I've been 20 years in this country and now I feel ashamed. It's a disgrace and there's too much at stake here. We are trying to do incredible things and be at the highest level each week. 

"When we're not good enough I hold my hands up and take responsibility. The outcome is nowhere near the level this league needs to have and the way this league is getting competed in."