Mikel Arteta might not care one jot how Arsenal got over the line against West Ham but that hasn’t stopped him coming in for some scathing criticism.
The most dramatic of late VAR calls went in Arsenal’s favour this weekend and it was a decision that might well win them the title.
However, over the years, Arteta has often lamented the use of VAR and Arsenal fans will be the first to admit they’ve felt harshly treated at times.
Now, though, former Scotland midfielder and ESPN pundit Craig Burley has slammed Arteta’s reaction.
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Craig Burley slams ‘hypocrite’ Mikel Arteta after Arsenal beat West Ham
Mikel Arteta has wound up more than one pundit this season. Whether it be his reaction to a decision or the constant up and down on the touchline, he has touched a nerve with a few now.
And now, it seems like Burley has had enough as he launched into a rant about the Gunners boss.
“Let’s just cut the c–p with a manager who is, along with many others, one of the biggest hypocrites in modern day football,” Burley said on ESPN.
“Had that been an Arsenal player, with the arm across the goalkeeper – which I think is a foul – had that been against him, he’d have pointed out all the other fouls going on, apart from that one.
“For example, he never talks about the holding from Rice. Or what Trossard or others were doing. So had that been the other end and an Arsenal player, he’d have pointed it all out and why it was absolutely fine.
“It’s fallen in his lap today and when it falls in his lap, he plays Mr Nice Guy. Oh VAR’s a hard job, oh really? You’ve only just realised? Yeah, because when it doesn’t fall in your lap, VAR is wrong.”
As mentioned above, Arteta will care little about what others think.
Sometimes in football, especially when you’re going for trophies, you need a bit of luck or a decision to go your way.
Ultimately, it was Arsenal’s week to get that decision and in fairness, it was a foul.
When all is said and done and Arsenal are champions, not one single player or coaching staff member will care a bit about this current weekend.
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