The VAR controversy took center stage in the Premier League again this weekend as Arsenal and Mikel Arteta furiously complained about refereeing standards after Newcastle’s 1-0 win at St James’ Park.
Anthony Gordon’s second-half winner, which prompted three separate lengthy VAR checks, prompted a scathing post-match response from the Arsenal manager as he branded the decision a ‘disgrace’ and admitted he felt felt ‘sick’ to be part of this.
Arsenal backed their manager by releasing a statement on Sunday condemning the decision, while esteemed pundits Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville insisted the club and Arteta were wrong to ‘undermine the entire refereeing community’.
As part of the VAR check, the referees deliberated over whether Magpies midfielder Joe Willock had kept the ball in play before crossing, whether Joelinton had fouled Arsenal’s Gabriel and whether goalscorer Gordon was offside.
All three decisions were ultimately decided in Newcastle’s favour. In their statement on Sunday afternoon, the north London club said they were supporting their manager after ‘further unacceptable refereeing and VAR errors’. It claimed that fans, players and managers ‘deserve better’ from the PGMOL.
Mikel Arteta (above) branded VAR’s decision to leave Anthony Gordon’s winner for Newcastle on Saturday a ‘disgrace’ as his side were controversially defeated 1-0 at St James’ Park.
The first issue VAR checked was whether Newcastle midfielder Joe Willock was keeping the ball in play
Officials then tried to determine whether Joelinton had exerted pressure on Arsenal’s Gabriel
The Gunners’ statement comes in the wake of Liverpool demanding VAR audio from PGMOL about Darren England’s costly mistake during the Reds’ 2-1 defeat to Tottenham in September.
Whether Arsenal and Arteta were right to shake up refereeing standards has been extensively debated by Mail Sport readers since Saturday.
‘Great goal and just as neutral, glad they left it. Defender should have been stronger instead of diving under the ball. Havertz also got away with a red card,” wrote a Mail Sport reader.
Officials had to review three separate incidents before awarding Gordon’s goal
A second said: ‘Yes the goal was janky and other refs might not have given it but we did absolutely nothing for the other 105 minutes. He should save it (the complaining) for when it really matters, otherwise no one will listen to him.”
Another added: ‘Liverpool have set this precedent, expect everyone now to question every call every weekend.’
A fourth, rubbing salt in Arsenal’s wounds, said: ‘Great skill from Willock keeping the ball in, good strong jump from Joelinton and how Gordon stayed onside was fantastic, great goal.’
“The bottom line is Arsenal weren’t good enough to beat Newcastle, they didn’t score,” said one supporter after the Gunners’ defeat.
Another said: ‘Get over it, Arteta should be fined for his outburst and possibly banned.’
One fan agreed that the Arsenal boss should be punished for his post-match response, writing: ‘Arteta should be heavily fined for his post-match comments. his players to speed up the game when things break down).’
But others backed the Gunners boss and insisted the goal should have been disallowed by VAR.
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Arteta’s angry outburst could put the Arsenal manager at risk of being charged by the FA
Mail Sport readers have had their say on the controversial incident following Newcastle’s 1-0 win
“Ball was out,” one supporter simply noted.
Another, taking a balanced view, added: ‘It seems to me as if the ball didn’t go completely out and it wasn’t offside, but it looked like a clear push in the back of the defender. Oh, and that goalkeeper should have had that ball all along.’
A Mail Sport reader thought PGMOL should change some of the rules, insisting: ‘The rule about the curvature of the ball keeping it in is RIDICULOUS. The rule should be where the base of the ball is. That would prevent situations like yesterday.
‘For me it’s not a goal, there was a clear push in the back with two hands. If that happens in more open play, it’s a mistake. The VAR might as well pack up and go home.’