ARSENAL fans are showing support for Mikel Arteta after he doubled down on his comments slamming the decision to award Newcastle’s goal on Saturday.

The Gunners suffered a 1-0 defeat at St. James’ Park after officials controversially allowed Anthony Gordon’s goal to stand.

Mikel Arteta doubled down on comments criticising refereeing in the Premier League

Arteta fumed after the match as he felt there were several reasons to disallow the goal, believing Gordon was in an offside position while Joelinton fouled Gabriel to feed him the ball.

Arsenal released a statement supporting Arteta’s explosive comments blasting the referee and VAR, and now fans are backing the Spaniard after he refused to backtrack.

Ahead of Arsenal’s game against Sevilla, Arteta said: “It is my duty to stand in front of the cameras and give a very clear and honest assessment of what happens in the game.

“This is what I did, reflect very openly how I felt the team played and how the game was conditioned by the decisions that were made.

“My duty is to defend my players, club and people in the best possible way. This is what I’m going to do time after time and I do it, not the way I feel, (but) with the evidence and being as clear as possible. I always do it. It’s the way I am and I have to defend my club.”

Rival fans hit out at the Arsenal boss following his comments with one saying: “Arteta is a cry baby. He can never ever accept his team lost. He does it every time.”

Another added: “Still crying on Tuesday 😭”

And a third said: “There’s defending and then there’s being downright rude, dramatic and disrespectful to the team that beat you. Be gracious, work out where it went wrong and go again. This crying feels endless. It’s one loss, get over it.”

TOTTENHAM boss Ange Postecoglou has been hailed for his response to the ongoing refereeing controversies.

Following their 4-1 loss to Chelsea on Monday, during which they had two players sent off, the Australian refused to criticise the officials.

Ange Postecoglou has been praised for refusing to criticise the officials following Tottenham’s 4-1 loss to Chelsea 

Mikel Arteta was hugely critical of the refereeing during their 1-0 loss to Newcastle 

Speaking to Sky Sports, Postecoglou said: “At some point, we’ve got to accept the referee’s decision.

“That’s how I grew up, and I keep saying that, I said that last time. This constant erosion of referees’ authority is…well, this is where the game’s going to go.

“They’re not going to have any authority, it’s gonna get diminished, and we’re gonna be in the control of somebody a few miles away watching a TV screen.

“So, a decision is the decision. You either accept it or you don’t…Trust me, in 26 years I have had plenty of bad ones, I have had plenty that have fallen in my favour. It is what it is.”

Former England, Liverpool and Man Utd ace Michael Owen lauded Postecoglou’s response.

He wrote on Twitter: “If every manager was this gracious our game wouldn’t be in the mess it is.

“Managers have a huge responsibility to protect the game instead of whipping their fans up into a frenzy with biased nonsense.”

And during his post-match press conference, Postecoglou doubled down on his stance that managers should stick to their job, and let the officials handle theirs.

In what Gary Neville called a “class” response, Postecoglou said: “Premier League managers should just manage their football clubs.

“I’ve never, and I never will, talk to a referee about the rules of the game. I was taught that you grow up and you respect the officials.

“You know what managers do? I’ll tell you what managers do, me included, we try and find ways to bend the rules. To get around them.

“Tell me what the rule is, and I guarantee that you’ll have a room full of managers processing ‘How can I get around this?’ We’re not the right people.”

And it seems his stance has not only impressed former Premier League stars, but also fans.

One tweeted: “Angel Postecoglou is a refreshing change in the Premier League He couldn’t be more spot on here. A stark comparison to (Mikel) Arteta and Arsenal earlier in the week.”

While another said: “Postecoglou out there showing class in the face of a bruising defeat whilst Arteta is putting PowerPoint slides together to present his next tantrum to PGMOL.

“I am dismayed at last night but delighted we have a leader & not a toddler in charge.”

In addition, a former Tottenham coach also made statements implying criticism of Arteta, Pochettino, he said:

“Too many coaches wanted VAR… and now, when it’s against you: ah, no! It’s a disgrace, it’s difficult!”.

“I’m not talking about Arteta, eh…”.

Arsenal supporters leapt to Arteta’s defence and showed support for the 41-year-old after he came under fire.

A supporter wrote: “Unlike some managers Mikel Arteta doesn’t hide or pretend to be someone he isn’t, he stands by everything he says and doesn’t gives toss what people think of him and I have nothing but the upmost love and respect for him 🤩”

Another said: “It makes me so happy to call Mikel Arteta “My manager..”

And a third commented: “Notice how this generation of ex-footballer pundits are bitter towards Arteta? It’s simple: he’s their age mate. It’s why they don’t care about 55 year old ETH or 60 year old Ange. Arteta is living their dream, is a better manager than all of them will ever be, pure jealousy.”

A fourth person expressed: “Mikel Arteta is unswayed by the media agenda. Stands by everything he said, love it”