Furious With Controversial Refereeing Decision When Arsenal Thrashed Spurs 3-0, Arteta Chooses Silence: If I Comment I Will Be Suspended For 6 Months

Mikel Arteta (Twitter @arsenal)

JAKARTA - Arsenal coach, Mikel Arteta was disappointed with the referee's decision when his team were beaten 3-0 by Tottenham Hotspurs, early Friday. However, he chose to remain silent.

In the postponed match for the 22nd week, Arteta's frustration was triggered by the referee who expelled one of his players, Rob Holding. He was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for a foul on Son Heung-min.

In response to this, Arteta imitated what Jose Mourinho did in responding to the referee. He refused to talk about the penalty and Holding's sending off before the referee explained to the camera.

Defeat. 3-0 (FT)#TOTARS pic.twitter.com/OIqTcYPUMR

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) May 12, 2022

“If I comment I am suspended for six months. I don't know how to lie and I don't like to lie so I prefer not to say what I think, I can't say," Arteta said angrily after the game, reported by the Express.

Arteta and his players were clearly not happy with the result. He wanted the referee to come in front of the camera and explain his decision. Arteta said the beautiful game in this match was marred by a controversial referee decision.

"The decision (to send Holding) has been made, I can't change it. The referee has to make a decision and react in football," he said.

Furthermore, this Spanish coach will not blame the players and the final result he received. Arteta just wants his team to focus on the next game against Newcastle United.

He claims his team knows very well how to get out of pressure. Arteta does not want Arsenal to lose again in the remaining two games, therefore he will push his squad back to focus and play happily against Newcastle.

"We have two games to play, each of us, it's in our hands and now we have to do our job."

Mikel Arteta Reflects on a frustrating night in north London #TOTARS

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) May 12, 2022