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Mikel Arteta: Arsenal Boss Says it is His Duty To Defend The Club After VAR Controversy
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says it his “duty” to defend the club after he criticised the officiating in Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Newcastle.
He said the decision to allow Anthony Gordon’s winner at St James’ Park was “embarrassing” and a “disgrace”.
Arsenal backed Arteta’s comments in a club statement, which was called “dangerous” by pundit Gary Neville.
“It is my duty to stand in front of you and give a clear and honest assessment,” Arteta said on Tuesday.
“My duty is to defend my players and my club in best possible way. It is what I intend to do time after time.
“I always do it and will take my responsibility to do it. It’s the way I am. I have to defend my club.”
The Football Association has written to Arteta and Arsenal to “seek their observations” about his comments.
Three areas around Gordon’s goal were checked by Saturday’s video assistant referee (VAR) – to see if the ball went out of play in the build-up, if there was a foul and if there was an offside – with all coming back in Newcastle’s favour.
Arsenal said the refereeing was “unacceptable”, adding players, coaches and supporters all “deserve better”.
“We have a duty to express how we feel on the evidence we have. We have to stand for our people, our values and who we are,” Arteta added on Tuesday.
“The club statement shows the unity and the understanding in the club in a clear and honest way. That’s our duty as a club.
“It is nothing special, nothing different. I would do it again and the club would do it again until this is right.”
Arteta has been criticised on social media, with some people comparing his response on Saturday to an answer he gave in October when asked about a VAR error in Tottenham’s win over Liverpool.
Liverpool said “sporting integrity had been undermined”after VAR failed to overturn an incorrect decision to disallow a Luis Diaz goal for offside with the match goalless. Tottenham subsequently won 2-1.
When asked about the incident at the time, Arteta said: “It’s something that we don’t have a say on, we don’t manage.
“I think they are trying to make the best decisions, they are trying to protect the game, they are trying to get as much support and be ruthless when they need to be.
“At some point as well we need to give support and understand that mistakes happen.
“We’ve made mistakes as well and if the pressure is so much then it’s very difficult to manage.”
The defeat at Newcastle ended Arsenal’s unbeaten Premier League start, leaving them fourth and three points behind leaders Manchester City.
The Gunners host Sevilla in Champions League Group B on Wednesday (20:00 GMT).
Josh2Funny’s Album Has Fans Talking — But Should He Stick To Music Or Skits? 😂🎶
Nigerian comedian and content creator Josh2Funny has taken his comedy game into music, and Nigerians are definitely having something to say about it.
The comedian released his 15-track album, “On Behalf of Josh,” on July 10, 2026, but instead of fading away after release, the project has continued to generate conversations on X.
And the big question now is:
Should Josh2Funny continue with music or go back to skits? 😂
Fans have been divided. While some listeners openly criticized the album and told him to return to comedy, others found songs they genuinely enjoyed.
One X user joked:
“Josh2Funny stopped doing skits and started music, Everybody wan chop this music money 😂”
Another simply said:
“This Josh2Funny Album no enter make he just go back skit abeg 😂”
But then came “Lembe.” 🔥
The track caught fire on X and eventually became a trending topic in Nigeria. The #LembeChallenge also gained momentum as creators began jumping on the song.
Josh2Funny later announced ₦1 million for winners of the challenge, giving the song another major push.
And it didn’t stop there.
‘INTERNATIONAL’ FT. ICE PRINCE ALSO TRENDED
On another day, “International” featuring Ice Prince generated its own buzz on X.
One fan even called it their favourite song from the album, while praising the collaboration. The post itself pulled thousands of views, showing that people weren’t only talking about Lembe.
From album criticism to trending songs and challenges, “On Behalf of Josh” has kept Josh2Funny’s name in the conversation.
Whether you love the album or think he should return to skits, one thing is clear:
Josh2Funny has succeeded in getting Nigerians talking. 😂🔥
So, let’s settle this once and for all:
Should Josh2Funny continue with MUSIC 🎶 or return to SKITS 😂?
Music or Skits? Drop your answer! 👇
East Ham, East London — 8 August 2026: The vibrant Igbo community in the UK came together for an unforgettable evening of entertainment, culture and social connection at Igbotic Game Night, one of the biggest social gatherings celebrating the Igbo community in the United Kingdom.
Among the night’s standout moments was an electrifying performance by Afrobeats artist Obeena, who took the stage and immediately captured the attention of the crowd.
Obeena delivered performances of two of his hit songs, “Wara Wara” and “Banging,” bringing his energetic sound and distinctive stage presence to the event. From the opening moments of his set, fans responded with excitement, singing along, dancing and enthusiastically supporting the artist.
His performance of “Wara Wara” created an instant connection with the audience, while “Banging” took the energy to another level. Obeena’s ability to engage the crowd transformed his set into one of the most memorable entertainment moments of the evening.
Held in East Ham, East London, on 8 August 2026, Igbotic Game Night provided a unique platform for members of the Igbo community to celebrate their heritage while enjoying music, games and social interaction. Events such as this continue to play an important role in bringing together Nigerians and the wider African diaspora in the UK.
For Obeena, the performance was another opportunity to showcase his growing artistry and connect directly with fans. His energetic delivery, stage confidence and ability to command the audience demonstrated why his live performances continue to attract attention.
By the end of his set, Obeena had left the crowd amazed and added another memorable chapter to his journey as an Afrobeats artist. His appearance at Igbotic Game Night was not simply a performance—it was a celebration of Nigerian music, culture and community.
With performances like this, Obeena continues to demonstrate his ambition to take his sound beyond the studio and onto major stages, connecting with audiences through music, energy and an unmistakable African identity.
Igbotic Game Night brought the Igbo community together. Obeena gave them a performance to remember.
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