Arsenal’s clash with Newcastle was once again marred by controversy after Viktor Gyokeres was denied a crucial penalty. A former referee has weighed in on the incident, insisting that the penalty should not have been overturned and questioning the role of VAR in the decision.
The Incident: Gyokeres vs Nick Pope
The flashpoint came when Arsenal forward Viktor Gyokeres broke through on goal and collided with Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope. While Pope managed to make slight contact with the ball, his challenge followed through and brought down Gyokeres inside the box.
Initially, referee Jarred Gillett awarded Arsenal a penalty. However, after a VAR review, the decision was overturned — sparking anger among Arsenal supporters and raising questions about consistency in officiating.
Why the Penalty Should Have Stood
According to the ex-referee, Pope’s touch on the ball did not excuse his late challenge.
“Gyokeres played the ball onto Pope, which is why he got a touch,” he explained. “But the goalkeeper still made a reckless follow-through that stopped the forward’s progress. That is a foul in any part of the pitch.”
He went further to emphasize that the laws of the game don’t automatically excuse contact just because the ball is touched. “How many times do we see fouls given even when the defender wins the ball but goes through the player? This was no different.”
VAR’s Role Under Scrutiny
The biggest issue, in the ex-referee’s view, was VAR’s involvement. VAR is meant to correct clear and obvious errors, not to re-referee marginal decisions.
“This was not a clear mistake by Gillett,” he said. “The on-field decision was penalty, and VAR should not have interfered. It’s exactly the type of situation where technology is overstepping its purpose.”
The ex-official highlighted similar incidents in the past, such as Brighton vs Arsenal last season, when William Saliba was penalized for a foul on Joao Pedro despite winning the ball first.
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The Bigger Picture: Consistency and Trust in VAR
This match highlighted once again the ongoing frustration surrounding VAR in the Premier League. Fans, managers, and even former referees continue to debate whether technology is being applied consistently.
For Arsenal, the sense of injustice will linger, as they were denied a penalty that could have changed the outcome of the match. For Newcastle, the refusal of their late appeal added another layer of controversy.
Ultimately, the ex-referee summed it up best: “VAR should not have overturned the Arsenal penalty. It was a legitimate foul, and the on-field referee’s decision should have stood.”
The Arsenal vs Newcastle clash was a reminder that while VAR was introduced to bring clarity, it often generates as much debate as it resolves. Until the system is applied with consistency and restraint, refereeing controversies like this one will continue to dominate the conversation.
