Mikel Arteta’s reaction to Arsenal’s ‘extremely bad’ goal after Nuno Tavares’ foul throw

The game hung in the balance when Newcastle took the lead through Ben White’s own goal and it all came down to a mistake by Nuno Tavares when the Arsenal left-back threw in an illegal throw-in

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In pictures: Newcastle vs Arsenal

Mikel Arteta was furious after Arsenal suffered a major blow when he finished in the top four against Newcastle.

The Magpies sealed a 2-0 win over the Gunners on Monday night which has put a major damper on the north Londoners’ efforts to qualify for the Champions League. Tottenham are now two points clear of their city rivals and need just one point on the final day to secure fourth place.

It was another disappointing night from Arsenal’s point of view after last week’s North London Derby defeat. And the goals they conceded against Eddie Howe’s men were very avoidable, especially Newcastle’s opener.

The game hung in the balance when a Ben White own goal put the hosts ahead. And it all came from a mistake by Nuno Tavares deep in the Newcastle half. The Arsenal left-back inexplicably committed a foul as the Magpies went up the other end and took the lead.

Arteta was asked directly about it full-time but the Spaniard looked furious as he brushed off the question. Speaking to Sky Sports, the Arsenal boss said: “Newcastle deserved to win the game and were a lot better than us. We had nothing in the game. They were a lot better in every department and we were bad with the ball. A lot of things happened during the game, like substitutions for injuries, but that’s no excuse because they were a lot better than us.

“It’s true that we couldn’t cope with the game we had to play here. We tried to change some things but it didn’t make it any better. We had moments where we looked better but then the execution was so bad and the goals we gave away were extremely poor.”

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Arsenal controlled their fate in the race for the top four but back-to-back defeats have derailed their bid and now they’re hoping Norwich City can do them a big favor on the final day of the Premier League season when the Gunners host Everton.

Arteta added: “It is extremely disappointing that Newcastle were ten times better than us and the performance was nowhere near the level we need to be at if we want to play in the Champions League.

“I’m incredibly disappointed. It’s very painful. It was in our hands and today it’s not in our hands. We have to beat Everton and wait for Norwich to beat Spurs. In football there’s always a tiny chance.”