Mikel Arteta fumes as he claims TWO 'clear red cards' may have cost Arsenal the title

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Mikel Arteta has claimed that the failure to send Nick Pope off against Arsenal might have cost his side the Premier League title. The Gunners beat Eddie Howe’s side 1-0 at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon - Eberechi Eze ’s early goal enough to see them secure three points.

The victory sees Arteta ’s side reclaim top spot in the Premier League, albeit Manchester City have a game in-hand. Speaking after the game, Arteta was left furious that Newcastle goalkeeper Pope was not dismissed following a clash with Viktor Gyokeres .

And he claimed it was the second game in a row that Arsenal have been let down by officiating - Arteta suggesting Man City defender Abdukodir Khusanov should have been sent off last week.

Speaking in his press conference, Arteta said: "I have to say, as well, in my opinion, it's a clear red card. I've watched it ten times.

“If you have ever played football, it is a red card. It's the second time in two games because [against] Manchester City, when Kai Havertz goes through, Khusanov fouls him.

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“1-1, the title is there. It is a red card, guys. So these are the margins as well and hopefully that's going to change."

He added: “I’m saying the reality of the last two games in crucial moments when everything is at stake, we need everything to go our way and it hasn’t.

“I’m not putting any excuses. I’m the first one to understand. I didn’t talk about it when we lost the game and when we won, it’s a red card. Today is a red card in Manchester, the world is different. That’s it.”

Asked why he believes Pope was not dismissed, Arteta replied: "I don't know, they will have their opinion. I'm here to give my opinion as somebody that has been in the game for a long time.

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“You talk to any of the players, because the trajectory where the ball is, there's no keeper there. If that were to happen the other way around, it's a red card."

Arsenal are back in action in midweek as they take on Atletico Madrid away from home in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final clash. They will then turn their attentions to a home game with Fulham .

Arteta has a few concerns ahead of those games, with both Kai Havertz and Eberechi Eze having been withdrawn against Newcastle with injuries.

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