Newcastle United’s win over Arsenal was a game filled with controversy, both before and after the full time whistle.
The big moment was Anthony Gordon’s goal, which left Arsenal so furious that they released a club statement to complain. There were also potential red cards, with Kai Havertz lunging in dangerously on Sean Longstaff in the game’s first big flashpoint.
That then led to Bruno Guimaraes avoiding red too, despite clattering into the back of Jorginho with his arm. It was wild, yet amazingly went unpunished.
That was just the first of a couple of incidents between Bruno and Jorginho. The Brazilian later went into the back of the Arsenal captain again, barging into him before pleading with him to get up off the floor.
This left the 31-year-old furious, who made his feelings known after the game had ended.
Newcastle captain Jamaal Lascelles went to shake Jorginho’s hand, only for the Italy international to refuse his advances. This enraged Lascelles, who later spoke to the media about Jorginho’s lack of sportsmanship.
Antonio backs Jorginho’s decision not to shake Lascelles’ hand after Arsenal loss
Now West Ham striker Michail Antonio has given his verdict on the situation, and has admitted that he backs what Jorginho did on the latest episode of the Footballer’s Football Podcast.
“To be honest in that game the way that game went I probably would’t have shaken someone’s hand if I was Jorginho,” he said.
“I’m not shaking your hand bro. I’m a sore loser. I’m not shaking your hand.
“Bruno, I feel like he should have got red carded, that looked blatant. I’ve never seen something so blatant in my life.
“Then the way they conceded, some of the challenges, it was a high intense game. There was arguments and everything in it. The fact they lost and they lost with so much emotion in the game, I ain’t shaking anyone’s hand! Why are you even coming to me? Get lost! No time.
“I fully understand why Jorginho didn’t want to shake his hand. They lost and I fully agree.”
No sportsmanship after Newcastle beat Arsenal
Given the incidents that happened on the pitch, not shaking someone’s hand does not seem comparable. But it was certainly poor from Jorginho.
Yes, he was on the end of some bad challenges. But what happens on the pitch stays on the pitch. At the end of the day, you shake hands. That is instilled in you from a young age at every level of the game.
But Jorginho’s decision not to shake Lascelles’ hand was befitting of the way Arsenal reacted to the entire game. They have every right to be annoyed, but Mikel Arteta has managed to turn this whole thing into a Premier League scandal.
It is a surprise to hear that Antonio agrees with Jorginho, and backed his decision not to shake hands – especially when you consider how physical he is as a player. But perhaps that says more about him, and he does admit that he is a sore loser.
Clearly Jorginho is too, but that is not what you expect from an Arsenal captain. No wonder Lascelles was so happy to beat them.
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