Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta refused to comment on referee Paul Tierney's performance after his side's crushing 3-0 defeat at the hands of Tottenham.

Antonio Conte's side, who remain in fifth, moved to within just one point of their north London rivals with the two sides battling it out for fourth spot.

Arteta was infuriated with the officiating as Tottenham received a penalty in the 22nd minute after Cedric Soares pushed Son Heung-min in the back.

The Spaniard would have also been frustrated at seeing Rob Holding receive a red card for picking up two yellow cards within seven minutes of each other.

And Arteta intimated that he thought the decisions were unjust.

Arteta told Sky Sports: “If I say what I think I’ll be suspended for six months. I’m allowed to give my interpretation of what happened in the game, but I don’t know how to lie so I prefer not to say what I think.

“I cannot say what I think. I’ll be suspended. I’m proud of my players.

“You can ask the referee to come in front of the camera to explain his decisions. His decisions. It’s a shame because such a beautiful game was destroyed today.”

Conte told Arteta to stop complaining during his post-match media conference.

The Italian said: “Arteta… he complains a lot. He needs to be more focused on his team and not to complain.”

Tottenham have the chance to leapfrog Arsenal into fourth place when they host relegation candidates Burnley on Sunday.

Arsenal are next in action on Monday night when they visit Newcastle United.

(Photo: GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)