Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta saw his team rally for three points against a top-six rival in a 2-1 win over Newcastle United at St. James’ Park on Sunday, but he may have a lot of negative thoughts on offer for the press in his post-match reaction.
MORE — Newcastle vs Arsenal recap | Player ratings
Arteta spent extended portions of the first half protesting various calls that did not go in Arsenal’s favor, so his postmatch press conference could be spectacular.
There were several flashpoints in the first half:
Arsenal had a penalty overturned when it was determined that Nick Pope flicked the ball away from Viktor Gyokeres before flattening the big forward.Newcastle forward Nick Woltemade had a hand on Gabriel Magalhaes lower back when he leapt to head home a corner kick. Gabriel flew to the turf in hopes of a foul that never arrived for the visitors.Magalhaes then ran out of his way to hit Woltemade in the head/neck area during the run of play. No discipline was given to the Brazilian.Two of those three cost Arsenal goals or high-danger scoring chances, and Arteta looked apoplectic at times.
But he was more interesting in discussing what did go for his team, as Mikel Merino and Gabriel Magalhaes struck late to claim all three points in the northeast.
Mikel Arteta reaction — Arsenal boss responds to controversy-filled comeback win at NewcastleHow are you feeling? “Pride and I think we fully deserved the win. The way we played, performed, competed. The chances we generated. We did it in a very dramatic manner in the end.”
You said you wouldn’t be here without the scars of the past: “100%. That’s how you get to a different level, by going through those moments and taking the lessons. It’s a massive moment to make a statement and prove to everybody the team that we are.”
How big a result at St. James’ Park: “For ourselves, yes to prove. It’s a terrific team, so difficult to play against. We played at Old Trafford, at Anfield, vs Man City early in the year. It’s tough. We won and the one we lost was with a terrific free kick.”
Important statement to league and yourselves? “We want to achieve the next level and to do that we have to come to places like this and show that aesthetic. … There are opportunities in the season, moments in the season, you have to come to these places and win.”
Newcastle were tough: “We had to throw everything that we had at it. Pope was exceptional — some of the saves he made, wow. We fully deserved to win it.”
VAR thoughts? “I watched it live and back. If it’s not a clear and obvious error, VAR should not intervene. We’ve been told that a few years. For me it’s very clear that VAR does not have to intervene.”
Bukayo Saka, Mikel Merino react to Arsenal’s comeback win at Newcastle (video)
Saka, Merino discuss Arsenal’s ‘unbelievable’ win
Bukayo Saka and Mikel Merino recap Arsenal’s 2-1 victory over Newcastle at St. James’ Park in Matchweek 6.
