)
The Arsenal manager, players and fans have been called out for their continued paranoia about officials.
Former Scotland midfielder Craig Burley has reprimanded Mikel Arteta after his latest remarks about officiating following Arsenal’s 1-1 draw at Brighton & Hove Albion.
What happened?
Arteta expressed his frustration with the penalty decision that allowed Brighton to equalise in their 1-1 draw. He felt that the penalty was wrongly awarded, as William Saliba clearly touched the ball.
"We’re very disappointed with the penalty and the way it was given,” said the Arsenal manager after the tie. “I’ve never seen that in my life, and Saliba touches the ball so it’s never a penalty for me.”
PAY ATTENTION: Stay updated with the Latest Soccer News in Nigeria from Pulse Sports
What Burley said
)
Speaking on ESPN on Sunday, the pundit admitted to being exasperated with Arteta’s nonstop complaints about referees, which he feels has transmitted to his players and supporters.
“It’s not just the muppets that follow them online before the game and after the game, they’re complaining about officials,” said Burley. “But it’s coming out of the club as well.
“I think it snowballs from the club, from the manager […] just play better. Bringing up this incident and that incident, everybody’s sick of it.
“Nobody’s against you, referees make mistakes, nobody’s got it in for you, so this paranoia that’s around this team, this manager and this club is really starting to irk me.”
What next for Arsenal?
Arteta will be hoping for a Premier League response from his team when they face Tottenham Hotspur in the North London derby on January 15.
Before that match, Arsenal play Newcastle United in the EFL Cup semi-final first leg on January 7 and Manchester United five days later in the FA Cup.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)