Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta calls for VAR consistency after losing 3-1 at Manchester United

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta opens up on VAR after Manchester United end Gunners 100 per cent record



Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta calls for VAR consistency after losing 3-1 at Manchester United


Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been speaking after his side lost their 100 per cent record going down 3-1 to Manchester United on Sunday afternoon. 

Manchester United's new £82m signing Antony grabbed a well-taken goal on his Red Devils bow, while Marcus Rashford hit two as Erik ten Hag's side handed the Gunners their first defeat of the season at Old Trafford.

Gunners did have a first-half Gabriel Martinelli goal ruled out by VAR before United's new Brazilian opened the scoring on 35 minutes in an action-packed match, opening up his body to fire into the far corner.

Rashford claimed the assist prior to Bukayo Saka equalising for Arsenal on the hour mark - before United's England striker profited from two clinical United counter-attacks.

Bruno Fernandes prompted Rashford's first strike, before sending Christian Eriksen clear as the Dane provided the striker with a tap-in.

Remarkably, it was Rashford's first Premier League double since December 2020, helping lift the home side to fifth in the table, while Arsenal remain top.

A disappointed Arteta said after the match: "The game was there for the taking. We haven't won it because we lacked some discipline in some moments and we weren't ruthless enough in front of goal.

"If we play with more courage we win the game. It is a big lesson - if you want to win here you have to do everything so right."

"I am really disappointed to lose the game especially with the way it went over the 95 minutes. We had some big periods where we were totally dominant and in total control. We created chance after chance but did not close the game. In any moment, when they have open spaces, they are going to hurt you.

"They had three big chances and scored three goals, we have numerous chances and we didn't score enough. We had a period in the first 18 minutes when we struggle and did not control the game but after that it was all us. We lose the ball in a really difficult place and play a ball in an area we don't have to and one pass and they are through.

"We should come here and win because of the way we play. Because of the performance and the way we dominated the game."

When asked did he feel vindicated rather more than disappointed he replied? "100 per cent."

On the disallowed goal he added: "Lack of consistency. One is soft and last week they made a foul on Aaron but it is soft, it is not a foul.

"There is a foul on Bukayo, it is soft but not a penalty. Today it is a foul. The threshold in the first actions, you could see there is no yellow card because they want to keep a threshold in a big game. Really difficult to understand."


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