Former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett has shared his thoughts on Arsenal’s overturned penalty at St James’ Park.
Just 15 minutes into the Premier League contest, Jarred Gillett had a difficult decision to make.
At first, it looked as though the referee’s decision was simple, as Nick Pope clattered into Viktor Gyokeres in the box, leading the official to point to the spot.
Arsenal have faced a lot of VAR controversy, and the clash against Newcastle United was no different, as VAR then intervened, which led Gillett to overturn his decision.
As Pope was deemed to have touched the ball before catching Gyokeres, the on-field decision was overturned, but was it the right call?
- READ MORE: Forget Gyokeres penalty, Troy Deeney thinks VAR made an even bigger error in Arsenal vs Newcastle
Keith Hackett reacts to Viktor Gyokeres’ overturned penalty in Arsenal against Newcastle
Mikel Arteta went berserk on the sidelines as the spot-kick was overturned, as did the Arsenal players on the pitch.
The decision has certainly split opinion, with several former match officials having their say.
On Sky Sports’ Ref Watch, Dermot Gallagher understood why Gyokeres’ penalty was overturned, but a fellow former referee had a different verdict.
Ex-PGMOL chief Keith Hackett took to X to share his thoughts on the passage of play, wondering how both Gillett on the pitch and Darren England on VAR missed that Gyokeres was simply fouled by Pope.
A fan wrote: “He only touches the ball because Gyokeres kicks it against his foot. He then impedes Gyokeres, and by the letter of the law, that’s a stonewall penalty.”
Hackett then responded by agreeing with the supporter, asking how both of the match officials missed it.
“If we can see that, why does two Premier League referees miss it?” Hackett asked.
Fortunately, the penalty kick didn’t turn out to be decisive, but that didn’t stop the Arsenal squad from airing their frustration.
Bukayo Saka questioned VAR’s intervention in the incident, with the awarding of the spot kick not seeming to be a clear and obvious error from Gillett.
Jarred Gillett was tested in Arsenal’s clash against Newcastle
The incident happened as early as the 15th minute, and in some ways, it set the tone of the game for Gillett.
The official had his work cut out to keep the game in order, as Gabriel Magalhaes found himself at the heart of two close calls.
Firstly, Gabriel escaped punishment after lashing out at Nick Woltemade and, later in the game, the Brazilian was the subject of a VAR check.
Gabriel appeared to handle the ball in the box just after Arsenal’s equaliser, but VAR came to Arsenal’s rescue, supporting the on-field decision not to point to the spot.
It was an emotionally-fuelled contest for the players and the officials, as it mostly is between Arsenal and Newcastle.
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