Newcastle United star blasts the ‘unacceptable’ thing Arsenal midfielder did during 1-0 defeat

Newcastle United skipper Jamaal Lascelles has hit out at Arsenal midfielder Jorginho for refusing to shake hands with him after the game.

The Magpies inflicted a first defeat of the 2023-24 Premier League season on Arsenal, who were left raging at Anthony Gordon’s controversial winner in the 64th minute.

Three VAR checks took place before allowing the goal to stand. The first was to see if Joe Willock had kept the ball in play during the build-up, the second for a foul on Gabriel by Joelinton and the third an offside on Gordon.

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta labelled the decision an “absolute disgrace”. It added to an already heated evening at St James’ Park with Jorginho snubbing Lascelles’ handshake at full-time.

The 29-year says what the former Chelsea man did was “unacceptable”.

Reflecting on the win, which saw United extend their unbeaten league run to seven matches, said: “Yeah [I’m delighted], and especially how they go on as well. I’m just so glad that we beat them.

“Their captain, Jorginho, didn’t want to shake my hand after the game. For me, whatever happens on the pitch - handbags or whatever - you show sportsmanship and shake hands afterwards.

“He didn’t do that, so I’m so glad we beat them. Players like that, I don’t think it’s acceptable.

“A lot of them walked in but I went up to him to shake his hand but he didn’t want to - and he’s their captain! I was fuming, it’s not on.

“I would never refuse to shake an opposition captain’s hand, no way. You can have as many arguments as you want on the pitch but shake hands at the end, it’s part of the sport.”

On his teammates, Lascelles added: “I love them, I absolutely love them. We really rose to the challenge and the battle.

“Joelinton was getting stuck in, Callum was loving it up front. We’ve got players in our team who like that battle and we fancied ourselves if it was that sort of game.”

Eddie Howe’s squad fly to Germany today ahead of Tuesday evening’s Champions League clash against Borussia Dortmund (kick-off 5:45pm).