Mikel Arteta reveals he's held 'private meetings' with PGMOL discussing refereeing improvement after infamous 'embarrassing' rant following Newcastle defeat

Arteta escaped punishment despite calling Newcastle's winning goal against the Gunners last month a "disgrace" off the back of some contentious refereeing decisions. Now, the Spaniard, who initially had a misconduct charge filed against him by the Football Association, has revealed he has been in discussions with the refereeing body, without divulging the particulars.

He said at a press conference: "Those are private meetings that I cant explain sorry."

The 41-year-old added: "It was done. I defended my opinion. I’m fully supportive of how we have to improve the game. We have the duty to do that. It’s good to discuss things in an open way."

Asked if PGMOL realise they must improve, he said: "We want to do the game better. It’s about how we can improve on the touchline to make life easier from the players’ side, [the officials'] side, technology-wise and the clubs. It’s all about us. We’re all in this together, it’s not about separate people trying to do their bits. That’s not going to work, we have to do it together."

Statistically, VAR has led to an increase in the number of correct calls made in the Premier League but mistakes are still being made by those who operate the system at Stockley Park and the referees, too. Moreover, it slows the game down a huge amount and spoils the usually free-flowing experience. If some of its problems can be fixed, the game will improve as a result. However, the line is being crossed with disrespecting referees and that is on the players and the managers to put right; or harsher punishments are likely to be handed out as a deterrent.

The Gunners are back in Premier League action on Sunday at the Emirates when they take on Brighton. The Seagulls won 3-0 at this very ground at the tail end of last season.