EPL: Arteta says managers and referees must work together to ‘make game better’

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says managers and referees must work together to help “make the game better”.

Arteta was this week found not guilty of misconduct charges levelled by the Football Association after his comments about Newcastle’s controversial winner against Arsenal last month.

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The 41-year-old said his hearing had been “a really good, well-run process”.

He added: “It’s not about ‘them’, it’s ‘we’. We want to do the game better. We’re all in this together.”

Arteta had described the video referee assistant’s decision to award Anthony Gordon’s winning goal at St James’ Park “embarrassing” and “a disgrace”.

However, an independent Regulatory Commission accepted the Spaniard’s defence that he had not intended to bring the game into disrepute.

“The outcome is I’m not charged but we have to draw a line and look how we can be much more constructive and learn from it and move forward,” he said.

“How can we improve on the touchline to make life easier on the players’ side? From their [officials’] side, technology-wise, from the clubs as well.

“I’m fully supportive of how we have to improve the game. Refs are a big part of that and they know that.

“It’s not about separate people trying to do their bits. That’s not going to work. We have to do it together.”

Arteta is the latest Premier League manager to be charged by the FA for post-match comments.

Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp received a two-match touchline ban and £75,000 fine last season for suggesting referee Paul Tierney had “something against” his side.

Arteta said managers have “a huge duty” when it comes to setting an example but also pointed out their futures hinge on key decisions being made correctly.

“It’s part of our role to conduct ourselves in the best way and represent the game, our league and our clubs in the best possible way,” he added.

“I felt a lot of sympathy, to be fair [at the hearing], as I explained the pressure we feel as managers and how important details are for our job.

“I love what I do so much and I want to continue doing it. The reality was that 14 managers last year lost their jobs – which is incredible – and we depend on results.

“When the outcome is that important, we get really emotional about it.”