Despite Recent Criticism, Mikel Arteta Asks For Patience With VAR

Despite the Arsenal manager being charged by the Football Association for criticism of the system, Mikel Arteta has urged for patience with VAR and wants to see it stay in the Premier League.

Following Arsenal’s 1-0 loss to Newcastle last month, Arteta called the decision to award Anthony Gordon’s game-winning goal “embarrassing” and a “disgrace,” and the club issued an official statement endorsing his assessment.

Since then, the FA has charged Arteta; he will learn next week whether he will be punished for his remarks.

On Saturday, Arsenal, who lead the Premier League after defeating Brentford late last weekend, will play Wolves, who have recently suffered a setback.

Arsenal, who are now atop the Premier League after defeating Brentford late last weekend, will play Wolves on Saturday. Wolves have also been negatively impacted by contentious VAR decisions this season.

Gary O’Neill, the manager of Wolves, activated VAR following his team’s 3-2 loss to Fulham on Monday. O’Neill has already been informed of bad decisions that have gone against his team this season.

O’Neil was not pleased with Fulham’s two penalties and questioned “what is the point” of VAR; nevertheless, Arteta has called for tolerance despite his personal reservations about the system.

Arteta stated, “I think we can improve it, and we are trying to do that.”

“All those things that are happening I think are probably necessary to improve it and we have to take it that way. It has been a big change.

“Technology is taking a huge responsibility in games and it needs time. If we use it the right way, we are listening to people, we are open, we are humble and we are trying to be constructive, I think we will get to a really, really good place.”

Arteta also revealed that recent VAR issues have been leading conversations between managers, with Newcastle boss Eddie Howe the latest to be left fuming following a late penalty award in their Champions League draw at Paris St Germain.

“I have sympathy with all my colleagues because I know how beautiful and how challenging the job is,” added the Spaniard.

“Those moments in front of the camera are not easy ones. You see that in many, many situations already this season as well as last season. We’re here to make the game better and make clubs better. We all need to win to do that.

“It’s a topic that comes up for sure. We talk about many things but that’s one of those as well because in the end it has a huge impact on results and our job depends on that.”

Arteta is anticipating a completely different challenge as Arsenal try to move four points clear at the top of the Premier League with win over Wolves. Arsenal hammered Lens 6-0 on Wednesday to secure their spot in the round of 16.

“It will be different, it won’t be the same. We cannot expect the same,” he said.

“This team is going to be different from last season and hopefully very different to the season next. That’s part of the evolution. Leaving some of the things in the past to the new things. That has a transition. We want to still be competitive and win matches and I think the team is competing really well.

“They have a lot of quality over there. It’s not a coincidence what they’re doing. They perform really well against the top sides and that says a lot about the coaching staff, what Gary is doing, the way they have prepared, and how they control opponents.”