Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has been charged by the FA over comments he made about the officials in his side's 1-0 defeat to Newcastle United earlier this month.
The Gunners travelled to St James' Park as one of two teams still unbeaten in the 2023-24 Premier League season alongside arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur, whom they could have overtaken with all three points against Eddie Howe's team.
However, Arteta's men suffered their first defeat of the top-flight campaign in highly contentious circumstances, as a second-half Anthony Gordon strike settled a fiery contest in the North East.
Gordon's winner was clouded in controversy, though, as Arsenal expected the linesman's flag to be raised to signal the ball going out of play, but Joe Willock just about managed to keep the attack alive before sending a cross into the box.
Joelinton appeared to push compatriot Gabriel Magalhaes in the back as he headed the ball down into the six-yard box, where Gordon - who was deemed to have been onside - was on hand to crash home from a couple of yards.
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Gordon's goal required three separate VAR checks before being awarded, and Arsenal - who were without chief creator Martin Odegaard due to injury - had no response in the time that remained.
Prior to Gordon's decisive effort, Kai Havertz and Bruno Guimaraes both escaped potential red cards in the first half, with the former taking a yellow for a reckless challenge on Sean Longstaff before Guimaraes seemed to elbow Jorginho in the head.
Following the defeat at St James' Park, a seething Arteta labelled the manner of his side's defeat a "disgrace" alongside claiming that he felt "sick" and "embarrassed" by the level of officiating in the Premier League.
Arsenal also backed their manager in a strongly-worded club statement, lashing out at the "unacceptable" standards of officiating in the Premier League amid a spate of contentious VAR decisions across the board this season.
The Spaniard risked landing himself in hot water with the FA, who have now accused him of using "insulting" comments which could bring the game into "disrepute", and he has until next Tuesday to respond.
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"Mikel Arteta has been charged with a breach of FA Rule E3.1 following comments that he made in media interviews after Arsenal's Premier League game against Newcastle United on Saturday 4 November," a statement read.
"It's alleged that his comments constitute misconduct as they are insulting towards match officials and/or detrimental to the game and/or bring the game into disrepute. Mikel Arteta has until Tuesday 21 November to provide a response to the charge."
Arsenal's loss at St James' Park saw Tottenham possess the final unbeaten record standing in the top-flight campaign, although the Lilywhites soon lost their own golden streak in a 4-1 hiding at the hands of Chelsea.
The Gunners have responded to their Newcastle dejection with back-to-back home wins over Sevilla and Burnley to cement a third-placed standing in the Premier League table, level on points with Liverpool and one adrift of Manchester City ahead of their trip to Brentford on November 25.
Ben Knapton
