'Robbed': Outrage after controversial VAR decision in Newcastle vs Arsenal clash ends Gunners' unbeaten run
By Sunita Iyer | First Published Nov 5, 2023, 1:11 PM ISTNewcastle's controversial 1-0 victory over Arsenal in the Premier League on Saturday, marked by VAR decisions, heated disputes, and Mikel Arteta's dismay, halts Gunners' unbeaten streak.
Newcastle halted Arsenal's undefeated run in the Premier League 2023-24 by clinching a contentious 1-0 victory on Saturday, wherein VAR allowed Anthony Gordon's goal, causing Mikel Arteta to criticize the defeat as "shameful." The match saw Joelinton's shove on Arsenal's Gabriel in the build-up to Gordon's close-range goal, sparking debate over a potential foul and whether the ball had crossed the line before Joe Willock's cross.Β
The decisive moment! π pic.twitter.com/ZfegJn4h46
β Newcastle United FC (@NUFC)VAR checked all three and Anthony Gordon's goal was given π₯οΈ
Newcastle have four consecutive home wins AND clean sheets. They're into sixth.
Free to watch highlights | https://t.co/iT7NHAznf8 pic.twitter.com/uc7JhuoYLo
The game was rife with disputable instances in a highly charged clash at St James' Park.Β Arsenal's Kai Havertz and Newcastle's Bruno Guimaraes were both lucky to avoid red cards in the first half.
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"The result should not be what it is. Embarrassing what happened, how this goal stands, in the Premier League, this league we say is the best in the world," Arteta said.Β "I've been 20 years in this country and now I feel ashamed. It's a disgrace. There's too much at stake here."
"I feel sick. That's how I feel. I feel sick to be part of this."
An ANGRY Mikel Arteta shares his thoughts on the controversial Newcastle goal that meant Arsenal suffered their first Premier League defeat of the season. π³ pic.twitter.com/fYT5lyo6eF
In the aftermath of their EFL Carabao Cup exit at West Ham early this week, Arsenal's back-to-back defeats dealt a severe blow to their championship ambitions. Mikel Arteta's squad currently stands in third place, trailing leaders Manchester City by three points, while a potential win by Tottenham against Chelsea could widen the gap to five points, moving them into the top spot.
Meanwhile, Newcastle's triumph concluded an eventful week for Eddie Howe's sixth-ranked team, having previously eliminated Manchester United from the Carabao Cup at Old Trafford.Β
Howe disagreed with Arteta's assessment of the winner, saying: "I haven't seen anything other than what I saw at the time. It looked a good goal to me. It's a massive win, full credit to players. It was a battling performance."
The initial half of the game was characterized by intense physicality rather than creative spark, with both sides engaging in forceful tackles and relentless pressing.
Despite the frenzied pace, the attacking efforts lacked precision and finesse, leading to a lack of clear opportunities, including Newcastle's failure to produce a shot within the first 30 minutes. Arsenal, too, struggled to pose any significant threat to Newcastle's goalkeeper Nick Pope, displaying limited clinical efficiency.
The tension peaked as Havertz made a reckless challenge, causing Longstaff to fall, triggering a scuffle between the teams. Havertz received a booking from referee Stuart Attwell, causing frustration among Longstaff, Gordon, and Schar, all booked for contesting the decision.
Arsenal made a rare incisive move with Martinelli's shot, saved by Pope, but the first half ended on a sour note due to Guimaraes' contentious actions. Guimaraes elbowed Jorginho, kicked the ball at Havertz, and faced retaliation from Rice but somehow avoided punishment.
Despite Rice's close chance after a failure to clear Martinelli's cross, Newcastle controversially seized the lead after Willock retrieved Murphy's loose shot by the corner flag. The ball was nearly out, but Willock crossed, leading to Joelinton's push on Gabriel, allowing Gordon to score from close range.
Arsenal vehemently protested to Attwell, but VAR favoured Newcastle on three counts, ruling no out-of-play ball, no foul by Joelinton, and no offside by Gordon. Despite dominating possession, Arsenal failed to convert in the box, suffering their first defeat of the season.
Following this controversial goal, several football pundits and fans spoke extensively over the VAR decision. Here's a look at how they reacted:
π£οΈ "You can't have the argument both ways" discusses VAR after the 'controversial' Newcastle goal pic.twitter.com/1kVXdt0Qbl
β Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL)Describe the use of VAR in one word... π pic.twitter.com/mQmAWtFqoD
β AFTV (@AFTVMedia)Question of the day : Is it time to scrap VAR? pic.twitter.com/vIkRKA2s05
β Stadium Astro π²πΎ (@stadiumastro)VAR ROBBED ARSENAL!
WAS SO PISSED AND BLOWING WRONG GRAMMAR! E NO GO BETTER FOR THEIR PAPA LEFT YANSH!! FVCKING ANGRY!! pic.twitter.com/dSjMo80Cpq
Absolutely robbed. VAR allows you to see things from multiple angles, multiple times and multiple speeds. Yet the officiating is still this bad!!!! pic.twitter.com/wX7dVjX2r1
β Afc_adam (@Adam_arsenal1)Welcome to the 'robbed by VAR' group Arsenal pic.twitter.com/3VqUQ5s5EQ
β Troll Football (@TrollFootball)I stand with Arsenal. is messing up the beauty of football
Incompetent Refs should be demoted. pic.twitter.com/PJDnkR9JTl
VAR after failing to disallow a goal Arsenal conceded even though they tried everything... pic.twitter.com/10LltcWLcR
β Troll Football (@TrollFootball)If Iβm the manager this evening and saw this on the monitor (which Arteta obviously did) Iβd take my players off the pitch and into the dressing room until VAR gave the correct decision.
Someone has to stand up to this revolting corruption. pic.twitter.com/7Hhij01mmq
The face of a bad criminal referee.
It will be totally insulting if the let this incompetent referee officiate any game at all.
Demoting him and this in the VAR room is even a good gesture, he should be fired immediately and fined heavily. pic.twitter.com/2yRSCCPQ8M
VAR when Arsenal are playing πΉ pic.twitter.com/0EMoR8bexQ
β Gooner Chris (@ArsenalN7)I can't believe that the referees in the VAR ROOM could award such a goal.
* It's a DISGRACE
* it's EMBARRASSING
* it's too much to bear
* Why Always Arsenal... pic.twitter.com/yUC4Mn7hbT
Arsenal were officially robbed by VAR. pic.twitter.com/ezOVGlKMWx
β charles charles lucima (@CharlesOla84)This is is a daytime Robbery.
VAR Arsenal.When Everyone wants to see your downfall there is no way you will help yourself.- - - pic.twitter.com/Neb78A2uNZ
Not an Arsenal fan, but this ball is out of play.. VAR robbed Arsenal today..... https://t.co/8V11ixlBgS
β Buhari wada π (@SenatorBasheer)
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