Joe Willock told Arsenal players the ball had gone out of play in the build-up to Newcastle’s controversial goal at St James’ Park as Mikel Arteta escapes ban from the FA
- Joe Willock told the Arsenal players that the ball had gone out of play during the match
- A VAR check lasting more than four minutes ensured that the controversial goal remained in effect
- Is there enormous pressure now on Newcastle to finish in the top four? Listen to the debate about It all starts
The FA's investigation into Mikel Arteta's language following Arsenal's 1-0 defeat to Newcastle last month has revealed that Joe Willock admitted to Gunners players that the ball had gone out of play in the build-up to the controversial goal that was scored in the match.
Arteta escaped punishment for his comments after Arsenal's 1-0 defeat to Newcastle last month, an FA statement has confirmed.
He had previously been charged by the FA on 16 November for calling the decision to allow Anthony Gordon's winning goal 'shameful' and 'a disgrace' after a VAR check lasting more than four minutes.
However, the charges were dropped after an independent investigation found Arteta claimed his use of the word “shame” had been misinterpreted because a similar word has a different meaning in his native Spanish.
The investigation has now also revealed that former Arsenal player and current Newcastle striker Willock told opponents in the match that the ball had gone out of play before his cross into the penalty area from which Gordon scored.
Joe Willock and Anthony Gordon celebrate Newcastle's goal that gave them a 1-0 win over Arsenal
Willock told the Arsenal players that the ball had gone out of play in the build-up to Gordon's goal
Willock was chasing a shot from Jacob Murphy that looked set to go out for an Arsenal goal-kick before Willock chased the ball and headed into the box.
Joelinton pushed the ball back to the waiting Gordon, who then tapped the ball into the net between a melee of Arsenal defenders and goalkeeper David Raya.
The resulting VAR check took four minutes and six seconds to decide whether Anthony Gordon's goal should be allowed.
Mikel Arteta was furious at the controversial goal he allowed against his side
VAR initially checked whether Willock had kept the ball in play at the corner flag, with replays showing the ball appeared to have crossed the line, but ultimately ruled it had simply stayed in.
It was then checked whether Joelinton had committed a foul on Gabriel, as it appeared the Brazilian pushed his compatriot in the back.
Arteta was told by his Arsenal players that Willock had admitted to them that the ball had gone out of play, adding to what the Gunners manager described as his 'sense of injustice and frustration'.
Newcastle went on to win the match by one goal as Eddie Howe's side claimed valuable three points against Arsenal.
