FA make contact with both Mikel Arteta and Arsenal after controversial Newcastle comments

The FA have written to Mikel Arteta and Arsenal to seek their observations after their comments following the Gunners' 1-0 defeat to Newcastle on Saturday, understands. The game was decided in controversial fashion as Anthony Gordon's winning goal was awarded despite three separate VAR checks.

Firstly, Jacob Murphy's mishit shot appeared to have gone out of play before Joe Willock retrieved it and crossed into the box. However, there was no definitive camera angle to determine whether the whole of the ball had crossed the whole of the byline. Then Joelinton appeared to push Gabriel in the back when receiving Willock's cross. VAR however, saw nothing untoward with the on-field decision not to award a foul. Finally, Gordon appeared to be standing in an offside position when Joelinton headed the ball to him. There was no conclusive camera angle that enabled VAR Andy Madley to draw the lines required to make a decision.

On top of all of this there was a suspicion that Joelinton may have handled the ball in bundling it back to Gordon. VAR did not review this however.

This prompted a furious response from Arteta after the game. "We have to talk about the result because you have to talk about how the hell this goal stand ups and it’s incredible," he said. "I feel embarrassed but I have to be the one now coming here to try to defend the club and please ask for help, because it's an absolute disgrace that this goal is allowed; it’s an absolute disgrace."

These words were echoed more generally by Arsenal in an official club statement. "Arsenal Football Club wholeheartedly supports Mikel Arteta’s post-match comments after yet more unacceptable refereeing and VAR errors on Saturday evening," it read. "We’d also like to acknowledge the huge effort and performance from our players and travelling supporters at St James’ Park.

"The Premier League is the best league in the world with the best players, coaches and supporters, all of whom deserve better. PGMOL urgently needs to address the standard of officiating and focus on action which moves us all on from retrospective analysis, attempted explanations and apologies.

"We support the ongoing efforts of Chief Refereeing Officer, Howard Webb and would welcome working together to achieve the world-class officiating standards our league demands."

Arteta and Arsenal will now have three business days to respond to the FA's request for observations. Upon receiving the observations the FA will then have three further business days to decide whether to: issue a charge, issue a formal warning, remind them of their responsibilities or take no further action.

FA Rule E3.1 states: "A participant shall at all times act in the best interests of the game and not act in any manner which is improper or brings the game into disrepute or use any one, or a combination of violent conduct, serious foul play, threatening, abusive, indecent or insulting words or behaviour."

Any pre-match comments in the media or on social media in relation to an appointed match official, whether they are identified by name or implication, are treated as a breach of FA Rule E3.1.

Post-match comments in the media or on social media are permitted if they solely criticise a match official’s performance or competence. However, if the comments imply bias, attack their integrity, are personally offensive, prolonged, or particularly unreasonable it could lead to the FA issuing a charge or formal warning. Alternatively they could remind Arteta and Arsenal of their responsibilities or take no further action depending on the seriousness of the incident or track record of the ‘participant’.