Arteta says he'll be 'bald' when VAR fixed after the head of IFAB claims

Mikel Arteta has said he will be ‘bald’ by the time VAR is fixed, following a week of refereeing drama.

The Arsenal manager was asked by the FA this week to explain his comments on Newcastle’s winner against his side. He had described Anthony Gordon’s goal as ‘an absolute disgrace’.

Lukas Brud, chief executive of football’s lawmakers IFAB, said this week it could take a decade before VAR is perfected.

And ahead of Arsenal’s game against Burnley on Saturday, Arteta said in response: ‘I’ll probably be bald in 10 years, life will be very different and maybe we will have many other new rules in football!

‘So I don’t know, let’s try to do everything we can to improve the game in every aspect and that is it.’

On the FA looking into his comments, he said: ‘I have to be consistent and I always try to be honest and transparent, act with integrity and defend my beliefs.

‘Hopefully I am not in trouble and this can be taken in a constructive way and we can move forward.’

Arsenal could be without eight players on Saturday. Emile Smith Rowe, Thomas Partey and Jurrien Timber are out, while there are doubts over Gabriel Jesus, Martin Odegaard, Eddie Nketiah, Bukayo Saka and Takehiro Tomiyasu.

On Saka, Arteta said: ‘He didn’t train yesterday (Thursday). Let’s see if he can make it tomorrow (Saturday).’

On Odegaard he added: ‘He’s still racing (to be fit). He’s trying everything that he can. It’s a possibility.