Michael Owen has now doubled down in his criticism of Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta for slamming VAR standards by praising Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou.
The Spurs coach impressed Owen with how ‘gracious’ the Australian was after his squad lost 4-1 to Chelsea on Monday. Even though referee Michael Oliver sent off Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie. VAR John Brooks even ruled out three goals throughout their London derby.
Oliver reduced Tottenham to nine men despite earlier opting against showing either Romero or Udogie a red card. Both made fouls that could merit red cards before eventually receiving their marching orders. But Postecoglou did not criticise the officials as Chelsea beat Spurs.
Postecoglou refused to criticise VAR after Chelsea beat nine-man Tottenham 4-1
Postecoglou told NBC Sports after the London derby that ‘at some point we’ve got to accept the referee’s decision’. The Tottenham boss also added that he had no complaints and could not, plus that he feels there is a ‘constant erosion of referee’s authority’ in modern football.
But while Postecoglou refused to criticise the referee or the VAR after Tottenham lost 4-1 to Chelsea, he did aim an apparent swipe at Arteta and Arsenal for calling out the standards of the officiating in giving Anthony Gordon’s goal in the Gunners’ 1-0 loss to Newcastle United.
Owen, too, has slammed Arteta and Arsenal for criticising the VAR standards shown in giving Gordon’s goal at Newcastle. The former Toon striker called the Gunners ‘totally classless’ for issuing their official statement criticising ‘yet more unacceptable refereeing and VAR errors’.
Arteta also told Sky Sports after losing 1-0 at St James’ Park that he felt ‘sick’ and that it was ‘embarrassing’ that the goal stood. VAR Andy Madley could not say if the ball certainly went out of play or if Gordon was offside and did not believe Joelinton fouled Gabriel Magalhaes.
Owen aims a dig at Arsenal boss Arteta whilst praising Postecoglou’s response
VAR Madley and referee Stuart Attwell enraged Arteta and Arsenal at Newcastle by allowing Gordon’s goal to stand. But Owen has doubled down on his criticism of Arsenal boss Arteta, hinting at ‘biased nonsense’ whilst praising Postecoglou’s reaction after Tottenham’s defeat.
“If every manager was this gracious our game wouldn’t be in the mess it is,” Owen wrote on X, formerly called Twitter. “Managers have a huge responsibility to protect the game instead of whipping their fans up into a frenzy with biased nonsense.”
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