The match between Newcastle United and Arsenal was highly intense—and marked by two controversial VAR decisions. Both teams felt they had been treated unfairly.
After the late defeat to Arsenal, Nick Woltemade found at least some consolation in the fact that he had scored his second goal for Newcastle in his fifth game across all competitions. “As a striker, it’s always good when you score goals – especially when you’re new to the club. It was a very nice goal, a good header. Of course I’m happy about it, but it’s obviously bitter when you concede two late goals that mean it was all for nothing in the end,” the DFB striker told Sky.
It was all the more bitter because the Magpies had been given serious hope of being awarded a handball penalty—and with it a great chance to regain the lead—following a VAR check in the 87th minute. But it was not to be: the video referee reviewed the scene and informed referee Jarred Gillett that his original decision—not to award a penalty—was the correct one. In the sixth minute of stoppage time, the Gunners finally turned the game around.
Premier League explains VAR decision
“Very questionable, I think,” Woltemade said of the controversial scene afterwards. In his own penalty area, Arsenal defender Gabriel had clearly blocked a shot from Anthony Elanga with his left forearm.
“I only saw it on the bench and I don’t know – the handball rule is a bit complicated anyway – but when the arm is stretched out like that and is so far in the air, I think you could call a penalty,” explained Newcastle’s goalscorer – and then became even clearer: “Honestly, I don’t know where it could be any clearer to award a penalty.”
But how could this decision have been made? “The referee’s decision not to award a penalty was reviewed and confirmed by VAR. It was determined that the ball deflected off Gabriel’s shin onto his arm,” the Premier League announced via X. Referee Gillett had already hinted at this on the field.
Arsenal penalty also disallowed
However, it was not the first time that the referee and his video assistant had come under scrutiny at St. James’ Park. In the first half, the visitors from North London were initially awarded a penalty after Nick Pope fouled Viktor Gyökeres, but this was also overturned after several minutes of review. Much to the incomprehension of Mikel Arteta.
“I saw it live and then in the replay, and for me it was a penalty,” was the Arsenal coach’s unequivocal assessment. Before the season, the referees had once again pointed out that VAR would only intervene in cases of clear misjudgments – “and for me, it’s very clear that he doesn’t need to intervene because it’s a penalty,” Arteta concluded on the subject.
The question of whether Magpies keeper Pope’s slight contact with the ball was actually enough to overturn the penalty decision is one that the Gunners need not concern themselves with, at least given the positive result. The important away win saw the second-placed team close the gap on leaders Liverpool, who had previously lost to Crystal Palace (1-2), to two points.