Arsenal were left aggrieved following their recent match against Newcastle United, believing they were denied a clear penalty after Viktor Gyökeres was brought down by goalkeeper Nick Pope. The incident occurred when the Arsenal forward chased down Pope and appeared to reach the ball first, potentially nudging it into the goalkeeper’s path before the subsequent contact was made. The referee initially awarded a penalty, yet after a review, VAR overturned the decision, leaving Arsenal’s players and supporters baffled.
A Controversial VAR Intervention
The reversal of the on-field call has once again reignited debate about the consistency of officiating in the Premier League. Arsenal, who have previously voiced concerns about uneven decision-making, felt this incident only reinforced their frustrations. Supporters in particular expressed disbelief at the outcome, arguing that such moments highlight the ongoing issues surrounding VAR’s application.
Former Premier League referee Mark Halsey also weighed in on the matter. Speaking via Goal, he remarked, “Gyokeres’ penalty should not have been overturned. Newcastle goalkeeper Pope got a touch on the ball but he did not win the ball. The touch does not negate the award of a penalty. Why did VAR get involved? It was not a clear and obvious error from referee Jarred Gillett. The on-field decision should have stood. Gyokeres played it on to Pope, that is how he got the touch and then there is a late challenge and brings him down. How many times do you see a foul given for a player that wins the ball and follows through? The touch does not mean it is not a penalty. VAR should not have got involved.”
Halsey’s remarks reflect the view held by many that VAR’s role should be limited to addressing only clear and obvious errors. In this case, critics argue that the system was misapplied, ultimately disadvantaging Arsenal.
Broader Concerns for Arsenal
This is not the first time Arsenal have felt undermined by inconsistency in decision-making. Mikel Arteta’s side has frequently voiced dissatisfaction with the standards of refereeing, particularly when key decisions appear to swing against them. While the Gunners overcame Newcastle to secure victory, the denied penalty remains a talking point that could have changed the complexion of the match.
For Arsenal, the focus will remain on maintaining momentum regardless of such setbacks. The ability to win despite contentious officiating decisions highlights their resilience, yet concerns linger that repeated inconsistencies could eventually impact crucial results in the title race. As debates around VAR continue, this incident serves as another example of how the technology, intended to bring clarity, can sometimes create more controversy than resolution.
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I know other teams get wrong decisions from referees and VAR, last season some of the so called TV pundits with no knowledge of analysis claimed Liverpool were fantastic but forgot how VAR and referees help them by undermining Arsenal. What I would like Arsenal to do is try and play your best and push for goals. There are a few Arsenal haters out there.
I thank Arsenal players for the work they are doing, they don’t get tired even if such situation occurs, they remain focused up to the last minute!!! Arsenal haters are there surely, patience pays but pains.
I’m just so happy we ended up winning the game.
Otherwise we would be so bitter, talking about this penalty all week long.
In my view, I am leaning towards it being a penalty.
I like to look at the view of the neutrals in cases like these, and it seems very split down the line. For example, we have ex prem referees with differing opinions.
VAR should not have intervened, as some former referees have stated.
Still, the inconsistencies have not been addressed, and VAR continues to bear little in the way of consequences.
If this is the best they have, then I would rather not have VAR.
Sure refs are human and make mistakes, but has VAR made things better? I say no, and either start over or toss it on the scrap heap.
Either that, Durand, or get officials in who know the rules, when to use VAR and apply both consistently.
We seem to start over at the beginning of each season, with new guidelines that are, somehow, forgotten or misinterpreted.
At the moment, Webb and the PGMOL are making a mockery of refereeing.
Why does a sport like rugby manage to use VAR correctly, while PL officials haven’t a clue, despite being paid an average of £100,000 a season?
Ken
I am surprised Webb has not been sacked; he has not corrected anything, in fact, made it worse in my opinion.
He defends the incompetence, and how many apologies has he issued in the last few years for wrong decisions?
Other sports use replay correctly, yet the PL seems unable or unwilling to do the same. The idea Pope grazes the ball, yet his reckless challenge is overlooked.
Remember Saliba last year headed a ball in the box, then headbutted opponent accidentally on the follow through.
What was the call you ask? Penalty of course. However, Pope’s was not; after review of the initial penalty given it was changed.
Sacking Webb would be a good start, and replace him with someone who places the rules and integrity of the game before defending incompetent VAR officials.
Durand, I brought up the very same comparison concerning that penalty at Brighton on another thread yesterday. It just doesn’t make any sense when there’s no consistency, which all we ask for.
So who was right? Halsey or the VAR officials for getting the ref to have a look?
As the PGMOL has already decided that clear and obvious is one of the criteria for this season then the VAR operator should not have intervened – particularly so as the ref pored over it for 4 minutes to make a decision that Halsey says was flawed. It wasn’t obviously wrong. The referee can’t see everything and VAR is there as an assistant like the lines people are but if it takes that amount of time to scrutinise then clear and obvious it ain’t
It’s over with now, but for all teams in this position at some point this season the guidelines are not being properly adhered to and it just makes a mockery of the system
This refereeing decision is not a mistake nor is it incompetence, It is plainly intended to rob Arsenal of a win and favour Newcastle. Just join the dots and you will see the corruption. It cannot be that a mistake is made by the referee against the same team all the time but not the opposite team, only against Arsenal.
Pgmol, VAR, referees, former Arsenal opposition players who cannot coach their former teams, the so said pundits who lie, and all those who hate Arteta and Arsenal will be crashes to their to bits when we win trophies this year.
From Gyokeres pen similar incidents 9 out 10 are pens. The only not given is the Gyokeres incident. We shall see similar incidents even this week and we will compare v Gyokeres incident and prove how Arsenal were unfairly treated. Not far tbh. Howard Webb’s explanation is what is expected from the anti Arsenal camp. The whole world judges not the biased PGMOL gang.
For me, Webb is just an apologist for the incompetent VAR officials. How many times has he apologized for their inadequacies in the past.
And for me, apologies are hollow and mean nothing. Just asked the aggrieved team if that helps them feel better about the situation. Because it Shaw didn’t help them on the day did it.
Instead of all these apologies’, how about getting his employees to perform to the standard expected, and to interpret said issues according to the rules that they have actually laid down.
Atimes I want to regret why being an Arsenal Fan because all negative decisions always come towards us and the opposing side will gain the positive part.Please they should try to Love Arsenal like other club and put smile on our faces so that the mercy of God can come upon you as well.