Ian Wright now vents ‘anger’ at Gary Neville over recent Arsenal controversy

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Ian Wright and Gary Neville are keeping the debate around the controversial Newcastle goal against Arsenal alive.

On Saturday, November 4th, Arsenal lost for the first time in the Premier League this season.

Anthony Gordon’s second half strike was enough to give the Magpies a 1-0 win at St James’ Park. However, Mikel Arteta was adamant that the goal should not have been allowed to stand.

The Arsenal boss had good reason to feel aggrieved. Several possible issues with the goal were put under the microscope by VAR. First, the ball looked to have gone out of play, there was also a suggestion of offside around Gordon. However, the most egregious aspect of the goal was Joelinton’s push on Gabriel Magalhaes, which VAR deemed not to have been a foul.

After the final whistle, Arteta did not hold back when giving his view on the matter. He branded the decision to allow the goal to stand a “disgrace.” Latterly, the Gunners put out an official club statement supporting the manager’s comments. Though, there was criticism from other quarters for this course of action.

However, Arsenal have played again since then – beating Sevilla in a Champions League match on Wednesday – and this topic ought to have been put to rest by now.

Instead, it is still being hotly debated. Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville and Arsenal legend Ian Wright have now clashed over the issue.

Lingering bitterness over Arsenal v Newcastle incident

Debating on the Stick to Football podcast, Neville said, “is the Newcastle goal on Saturday a howler? It’s not a howler.”

Wright hit back, saying, “of course it’s a howler! We’re talking about minimal contact on penalties and this man has two hands on his back.”

“I’m going to walk off bro. I can’t deal with the anger which is starting to build up in me. How can you lot be honestly talking about minimal contact for penalties.”

“People will say oh it’s because it’s Arsenal but it’s not because it’s Arsenal it’s because he’s got two hands on his back.”

In this writer’s opinion, Gabriel was fouled and the goal ought to have been chalked off. However, in a match filled with questionable refereeing decisions – both Kai Havertz and Bruno Guimaraes were fortunate to avoid red cards – Arteta and his players had to take responsibility for what they could control.

The Gunners were uninspired in attack and never did enough to test Nick Pope in the Newcastle goal. A lack of cutting edge is a big problem, and crucially one that Arteta can actually do something about.

Now that Arsenal have beaten Sevilla, all focus now needs to be on Saturday’s Premier League clash with Burnley. The Newcastle controversy needs to be forgotten.