Mikel Arteta’s damning verdict on referee Paul Tierney after 3-0 Tottenham defeat

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was not pleased with the officiating, after his defender Rob Holding was sent off in their 3-0 defeat to Tottenham on Thursday night.

The Gunners went into the game against Spurs with a four-point buffer, but left the game with just a point lead and now watching over their shoulders with just two games to end the season.

A brace from Harry Kane, the highest scorer in the history of the north London derby, and a smart finish from Heung Min-Son early in the second half rattled the Gunners in what was ultimately a disappointing evening.

Manager Mikel Arteta, who saw his four game winning run ended in brutal fashion at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, felt the officiating took the game away from them.

The visibly upset Arteta did not hold back when assessing where the game got away from them.

The Arsenal boss said after the game: “A beautiful game was destroyed today.

“If I say what I think I will be suspended for six months.

“I don’t like to lie so I prefer not to say anything, I am so proud of my players and like I said a beautiful game was destroyed today.”

The defeat now leaves Arsenal needing to win their remaining games, starting with a tricky away trip to Newcastle before taking on relegation threatened Everton in the final game of the season.

For Tottenham, the win might feel good tonight, but they will still have to rely on a slip up from the Gunners.

They will look to do their own side of the coin by beating Burnley on Sunday, and then travel to already relegated Norwich for the final game of this riveting season.