VAR caused controversy when it awarded Anthony Gordon's goal, causing Arsenal to lose 0-1 at Newcastle in round 11 of the Premier League.
In the 63rd minute, from a central attack, Jacob Murphy's cross shot missed the goal, sending the ball close to the corner flag. Joe Willock - a midfielder who grew up in Arsenal's academy - saved the ball close to the touchline, comfortably dribbled the ball in when Ben White did not come out to block it and crossed it into the penalty area. Goalkeeper David Raya missed the ball, Joelinton could not head it past Gabriel's challenge, but the ball fell to Anthony Gordon for the attacking midfielder wearing the number 10 shirt to shoot into the empty goal.
Gordon (No. 10) celebrates after scoring against Arsenal in Newcastle's 1-0 win at home at St James' Park in round 11 of the Premier League on November 4. Photo: Reuters
VAR stepped in, checking for a long time, from whether Willock had let the ball go out of play, whether Joelinton had pushed Gabriel to Gordon's offside, and finally Newcastle's goal was awarded despite fierce protests from Arsenal.
The controversial VAR decision saw the Gunners suffer their first Premier League defeat of the season, after seven wins and three draws. Arsenal also failed to score for the first time in their 17th game in all competitions this season. Meanwhile, Newcastle have won four consecutive games at St James' Park without conceding a goal for the first time since April 2012.
Before the match at St James' Park yesterday, Arsenal received bad news when captain midfielder Martin Odegaard was not fit enough to play. The Gunners also missed Gabriel Jesus, Emile Smith Rowe, Thomas Partey, and Jurrien Timber due to long-term injuries. Therefore, coach Mikel Arteta had to use the midfield trio Kai Havertz, Jorginho, and Declan Rice. The attack line is a combination of Gabriel Martinelli, Eddie Nketiah, and Bukayo Saka.
The absence of their strongest squad made the visitors play deadlocked, not creating clear chances. Arsenal had 60% possession, 14 shots but only one on target - compared to Newcastle's 9 and 2.
Havertz (No. 29) fouled Longstaff, leading to a scuffle between players from both sides. Screenshot
The first half was tense with a series of fouls. VAR also made a controversial decision in the 37th minute, when Havertz made a dangerous two-footed tackle on Sean Longstaff near the left touchline. Players from both teams immediately clashed, but referee Stuart Attwell only showed Havertz a yellow card. He also showed three yellow cards to Newcastle's Gordon, Longstaff and Fabian Schar for their reactions.
In the second half, after conceding a goal, Arteta made changes by bringing on Oleksandr Zinchenko, Leandro Trossard and Fabio Vieira. But Arsenal could not make a difference as the entire Newcastle squad retreated to defend.
With the 0-1 defeat, Arsenal remain third on 24 points, two behind Tottenham but having played one game more, and three behind Manchester City - who crushed Bournemouth 6-1 in their earlier game. Meanwhile, Newcastle have moved up to sixth on 20 points, two behind Aston Villa.
Guimaraes (left) in a push to stop Fabio Vieira from closing in on the second half of the match at St James' Park on November 4. Photo: Reuters
Next week, Arsenal return home to face Sevilla while Newcastle visit Dortmund in the fourth round of the Champions League group stage.
Line-up :
Newcastle : Pope, Trippier, Schar, Lascelles, Burn (Livramento 46), Guimaraes, Longstaff, Joelinton, Almiron (Murphy 63, Ritchie 79), Wilson (Willock 62), Gordon.
Arsenal : Raya, White (Zinchenko 73), Saliba, Gabriel, Tomiyasu, Rice, Jorginho (Vieira 79), Havertz, Saka, Nketiah (Trossard 79), Martinelli.
Hong Duy
Source link
Comment (0)