Newcastle United boss Matthias Jaissle called out Premier League double standards - and Mikel Arteta was the main culprit.
Mikel Arteta was shown a yellow card in Arsenal’s 2-0 Premier League win at Sunderland on Saturday night. A coincidence? Well, possibly not.
Just days earlier, Newcastle United head coach Matthias Jaissle called out what he saw as double standards in the Premier League after being booked during the 2-2 draw with AFC Bournemouth for repeatedly leaving his technical area.
“I hope I don't need to adapt,” Jaissle said in the build-up to the Magpies’ 4-1 defeat at Leeds United on Monday. “I was really clear that I was disappointed.
Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta reacts ahead of the English Premier League football match between Sunderland and Arsenal at The Stadium of Light in Sunderland in north east England on September 12, 2026. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP via Getty Images)placeholder image
Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta reacts ahead of the English Premier League football match between Sunderland and Arsenal at The Stadium of Light in Sunderland in north east England on September 12, 2026. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images
“I made it also really clear in many aspects, because from my point of view, if you're 20cm out of your box and you encourage and support your own team in a positive way, in an emotional way, I'm not sure if that is then a yellow card.
“Also, compare when I'm looking at some of my colleagues...”
Mikel Arteta yellow carded after Matthias Jaissle complaint
It didn’t take a rocket scientist to know who he was referring to, with Arteta well known for his touchline antics. So, it was perhaps no coincidence that the Spaniard was penalised two days after Jaissle voiced his displeasure.
Arteta’s booking came during a frustrating half for the Gunners, who went into half-time goalless. Goals from Bruno Guimaraes and Bukayo Saka won the game in the second half, but Arteta may well face further action after criticising VAR.
It came after Sunderland were awarded a penalty after Ezri Konsa was adjudged to have manhandled Dan Ballard to the ground by VAR. Enzo Le Fee saw his resulting spot-kick saved by David Raya before Guimaraes fired Arsenal ahead just 121 seconds later.
“I'm so upset,” Arteta said. “It's unacceptable at this level. Unacceptable. This can change the course of a season, the championship, and it's not acceptable.
“I've seen it ten times to make sure because I watch it live and I said, it's not possible at this level, there's going to be a penalty because it's a judo role. That's what it is. It just cannot happen.”
Arsenal were awarded a penalty themselves in stoppage time after Reinildo was shown a second yellow card for bringing down Saka, who stepped up to make it 2-0.