The beIN boys are on the case…
Mike Arteta brandished VAR and the Premier League as “a disgrace” after his Arsenal side lost to a controversial Anthony Gordon goal, against Newcastle, at St James’ Park.
Newcastle United became the first team to beat Arsenal in the Premier League, this season, after Gordon bundled the ball home in the second half. The Gunners were livid with the decision as they felt there were three solid reasons for VAR to rule the goal out:
1 The ball went out of play before Joe Willock could retrieve it
2 Joelinton pushed Gabriel at the back post
3 Anthony Gordon was offside
VAR held up the match for four minutes before finally deciding that the goal could stand. Newcastle held on to win 1-0 but Arteta was livid with the outcome. He told the BBC:
“We have to talk about the result because you have to talk about how the hell this goal stand ups and it’s incredible.
“I feel embarrassed but I have to be the one now coming here to try to defend the club and please ask for help, because it’s an absolute disgrace that this goal is allowed; it’s an absolute disgrace.”
While Gordon is given the benefit of the doubt on the offside call, the most contentious issues are the ball perhaps crossing the endline and the apparent push on Gabriel. Andy Gray and Richard Keys believe they have evidence that the ball was IN PLAY, however Gary Neville believes Gabriel took advantage of Joelinton’s contact.
Andy Gray on Newcastle goal
“Here you go,” said former Scotland striker Andy Gray as beIN Sport did their big reveal, using video technology at their disposal.
“Ha, ha, ha, there you go” chuckled Gray, before adding ‘that’s a fat line’.
“The plot thickens,” added co-host Richard Keys. Both men then argued that Joelinton not only fouled Gabriel but the ball struck his hand before falling to Anthony Gordon.
EXCLUSIVE!!!
beINSPORTS can reveal that the ball was IN for Newcastle's goal, but @richardajkeys and Andy Gray believe it was both a foul on Gabriel and handball by Joelinton.#beINPL #NEWARS #AFC #NUFC pic.twitter.com/Li70v2s3VM
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) November 4, 2023
Gary Neville also chimed in on Newcastle United’s win over Arsenal.
The former Manchester United defender thought Gabriel overstated Joelinton’s contact in the build-up to the goal.
Gary Neville also chimed in on Newcastle United’s win over Arsenal.
The former Manchester United defender thought Gabriel overstated Joelinton’s contact in the build-up to the goal.
He’d already bent forward to flick it on and he threw his legs back! I’ve tried to do it . It wasn’t a foul.. https://t.co/RK5MHnwoJB
— Gary Neville (@GNev2) November 5, 2023
‘VAR did not modify single official’s decision on the goal tonight,’ Jamie Carragher tweeted. ‘They couldn’t come up with enough evidence/camera angles to overturn the three incidents. They couldn’t throw the ball if they didn’t know what it was. It would have been given as a goal even if there had been no VAR.’