Arsenal Fumes Over VAR Controversy While Newcastle Suffers True Robbery
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta and deputy captain Bukayo Saka both criticized VAR decisions during Sunday's 2-1 victory against Newcastle United, though expert examination of the controversial moments indicates Newcastle had more reason to feel aggrieved.
Following the familiar pattern of Arsenal's visits to St James' Park, fans witnessed an electric atmosphere, intense physical battles and numerous officiating disputes.
The Gunners initially protested VAR official Darren England's involvement when Viktor Gyökeres' first-half spot kick was reversed after video review. Newcastle, shortly after Mikel Merino's leveler nullified Nick Woltemade's opening strike, questioned why VAR remained silent when Gabriel seemingly touched the ball with his hand in Arsenal's penalty area.
The dynamic Brazilian defender, who also avoided sanction for striking Woltemade in the head, emerged as the match-winner with the decisive goal.
Arsenal's Reversed Penalty Decision
When Jarred Gillett touched his earpiece indicating a VAR check, Newcastle keeper Nick Pope appeared visibly concerned. The England shot-stopper likely feared a dismissal after colliding with Viktor Gyökeres during the first period of Sunday's entertaining encounter.
However, to the astonishment of many at St James' Park, Gillett was instructed to reverse his original call as the goalkeeper "contacts the ball and commits no offense," according to the match official.
From Arteta's perspective, Pope's minimal ball contact didn't warrant VAR intervention. "When it's not a clear and obvious mistake, VAR shouldn't get involved," the Spanish manager stated firmly.
Saka echoed this sentiment: "In my view, VAR exists for clear and obvious mistakes, and the lengthy deliberation time proves this wasn't one."
Nevertheless, as ESPN's officiating analyst Dale Johnson notes in his incident breakdown, Gillett hadn't observed Pope's ball contact during live play—explaining his initial penalty award. Since VAR provided fresh information to the field referee, consulting the pitchside monitor was completely appropriate.
The subsequent action review remains more subjective.
Pope's ball contact doesn't automatically excuse bringing down Gyökeres. However, the Newcastle goalkeeper is considered to be making "a legitimate attempt to win possession" since Gyökeres collided with him, rather than Pope fouling the Arsenal attacker. Johnson concludes, "this reversal was accurate and would be expected in any VAR-equipped competition."
"These situations consistently work against us," Saka complained, "but today we earned our reward, which is why we're all delighted. It's irrelevant now, isn't it?" Newcastle might disagree.
Newcastle's Handball Claims
VAR official Darren England remained surprisingly inactive when Gabriel appeared to deflect the ball with his hand during Sunday's final moments. The Premier League later clarified that "the ball [was] considered to have ricocheted off Gabriel's leg before hitting his arm" following his sliding challenge against Anthony Elanga in Arsenal's penalty area.
ESPN's VAR analysis notes that "contact with another body part before arm contact doesn't automatically prevent handball punishment" and suggests the ball didn't experience a "substantial directional change" before hitting Gabriel's elevated arm.
Despite Newcastle having legitimate grounds for frustration regarding Sunday's officiating decisions, Eddie Howe declined to engage with the controversy. "I initially thought it was [handball], but it wasn't awarded, so you must accept it," he remarked.
"You must examine your own performance first, or you won't improve and progress."