After a tense match at St. James’ Park, Arsenal was left to regret their VAR error in their 1-0 loss to Newcastle United. Head coach Mikel Arteta is probably furious.
Right up until Kai Havertz’s challenge raised the stakes, the Gunners were in complete control of the match.
Nevertheless, Anthony Gordon gave the home team the lead on 63 minutes despite having limited opportunities to score. The goal was upheld following a protracted VAR review for a possible ball off the pitch, foul, and offside.
Arsenal controlled the first half, but after Kai Havertz was only given a booking for a 36-minute challenge on Sean Longstaff—three Newcastle players, including Longstaff, received cautions for disobedience—entire outbursts of rage broke out.
In the closing seconds of the first quarter, Bruno Guimaraes seemed to elbow Jorginho before booting the ball at Havertz and pushing Declan Rice, which caused referee Stuart Attwell to lose control of the match.
After Bruno Guimaraes was really lucky to escape a red card for an altercation with Jorginho off the ball, it will be interesting to see how the Premier League and PGMOL respond to yet another VAR mishap.
Jorginho fell on the ground, holding his head as the Brazilian clearly reached out to punch him in the head. A comprehensive VAR investigation was conducted, but no further action was done. Not impressed was Gary Neville.
Regarding the incident, the Sky Sports pundit said, “That’s not good.” He’s managed to get away with it. “VAR examined it thoroughly,” he clarified. It seems like he’s having a fortunate day. I find that to be unacceptable.
Only a few days prior, Arteta had claimed that Arsenal could not use their 3-1 Carabao Cup loss to West Ham as an excuse due to VAR. He was left to bemoan its intervention—or lack thereof—in punishing him just four days later.
Gordon slipped home from close range after David Raya was caught in no man’s land by substitute Joe Willock’s cross, and Joelinton outmuscled Gabriel in the air.
The goal stood because there was no other way to draw the lines against Gordon. VAR was intended to look for the ball going out of play, a foul by Joelinton on Gabriel, and an offside line being drawn.
Conversely, the Gunners had the better of the play in both halves, taking 11 wasted corners and managing just one shot on target. Fundamentally sound as always, Arteta’s team missed Gabriel Jesus’ cutting edge in attack and Martin Odegaard’s inventiveness in midfield.
Arsenal is now three points behind City, who crushed AFC Bournemouth 6-1 at the Etihad, which has hurt Arsenal’s prospects of winning the title.
