Alan Shearer questions Mikel Arteta stance after Newcastle United win over Arsenal

Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer has has hit out at the conduct of Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta following his side’s controversial defeat at St James Park.

A hotly disputed goal from Magpies forward Anthony Gordon ensured Eddie Howe’s men claimed a notable win over the title contenders on a stormy night on Tyneside. But the former Everton star’s strike only proved to be one of a number of contentious decisions made by on-field referee Stuart Attwell and VAR official Andy Madley.

Both sides could consider themselves fortunate not to be reduced to ten men during the first-half as Gunners midfielder Kai Havertz was shown a yellow card for a dangerous challenge on Sean Longstaff before Magpies star Bruno Guimaraes escaped any punishment for lashing out at Jorginho.

The decisive goal also brought three separate talking points as there were debates over whether Joe Willock had kept a loose ball in player before crossing into the Gunners area, if Joelinton had fouled Gabriel and whether Gordon was offside before firing into the Gallowgate net.

Arteta was left furious by the performance of the on and off-field officials and blasted their display in his post-match press conference. In an emotional outburst, the Gunners boss admitted he was embarrassed by the decisions he had witnessed and was subsequently supported by his club, who released a statement backing their manager on Sunday afternoon.

Shearer admitted United star Guimaraes was lucky not to see red - but was also left disappointed by Arteta and Arsenal’s reaction to the defeat, hinting the Gunners boss has been hypocritical after making comments supporting officials after a questionable decision in Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur earlier this season.

Speaking to Gary Lineker on The Rest is Football Podcast, the former England captain said: “I listened to Mikel Arteta after the game, he was obviously very angry, I get that, I understand because you’re in the throw of things after the game, it’s very emotional, it’s very hard, I’ve been in that position myself, you’re very angry.

“I didn’t once hear him say Kai Havertz should have been sent off, by the way. When I read Arsenal’s statement I didn’t hear them mention Kai Havertz didn’t get sent off and perhaps should have. In my opinion it should have been a red card.

“Did you see Mikel Arteta’s comments after they got a decision that went for them against Liverpool? He said, ‘we have to understand and we have to support our referees, they are humans, they will make errors and we have to support them’.

“Honestly, I’ve been in that position, I felt as if when I was the manager of Newcastle we were robbed of that decision in that game against Fulham at St James’ Park. I was angry as I’ve ever been when that decision went against us, a goal was given. I get how hard it is, and I get that the manager is trying to make his point, I just can’t agree with what was said after the game and Arsenal’s statement.”

Newcastle are back in action on Tuesday night when they visit German giants Borussia Dortmund in their latest Champions League group stage game.