Mikel Arteta has been charged by the Football Association (FA) following his post-match comments made after Arsenal’s 1-0 defeat at Newcastle United.

Anthony Gordon’s controversial winner was enough to secure victory for Eddie Howe’s side. The goal was checked by VAR Andy Madley to see whether the ball had stayed in play, whether there was a foul by a Newcastle player, and also whether there was an offside.

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The Athletic previously reported that the FA had written to Arteta and Arsenal requesting their observations following the post-match comments. It has now been confirmed that he has been charged “with a breach of FA Rule E3.1”.

A statement from the FA read: “Mikel Arteta has been charged with a breach of FA Rule E3.1 following comments that he made in media interviews after Arsenal’s Premier League game against Newcastle United on Saturday 4 November.

“It’s alleged that his comments constitute misconduct as they are insulting towards match officials and/or detrimental to the game and/or bring the game into disrepute.”

Arteta has until November 21 to respond to the charge. Once a charge is issued, the “participant” has three further business days to reply. A regulatory commission hearing would then take place within 10 business days of the response from the “participant”.

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After the match, Arteta did not clarify what part he took issue with but the 41-year-old spoke of his “embarrassment” at the decision to award Newcastle’s goal, calling it “a disgrace”.

“We have to talk about the result because you have to talk about how the hell this goal stands up and it’s incredible,” he said.

“I feel embarrassed but I have to be the one now coming here to try to defend the club and please ask for help, because it’s an absolute disgrace that this goal is allowed it’s an absolute disgrace.

“Because it’s not a goal for many reasons it’s not a goal, for more than one reason at least, it’s not a goal and it’s too much at stake here. We put so much effort, it’s so difficult to compete at this level, and it’s an absolute disgrace.

“Again, I feel embarrassed having more than 20 years in this country, and this is nowhere near the level to describe this as the best league in the world. I am sorry.

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“That makes it even worse (that there were three checks). It makes it even worse. You just need to see one image, if you need, and you have any doubt you look at the second one, and if this is a goal, okay, that’s fine.”

Arteta’s comments were supported by Arsenal, with the release of a club statement that “wholeheartedly” supported him and criticised the “unacceptable” officiating errors.

Before Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over Sevilla in the Champions League, Arteta defended his comments, saying: “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. 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. When we play brilliantly, when we have lost, it’s my responsibility to do it. It’s the way I am and I have to defend my club.”

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(Photo: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)