Arsenal 1-0 Newcastle United: Mikel Arteta felt Nick Pope should have been sent off on his return to the side.
Mikel Arteta couldn’t hide his frustration at a decision that went against Arsenal during the 1-0 win over Newcastle United on Saturday.
Eberechi Eze’s early strike proved to be the difference between the sides at the Emirates Stadium.
Eddie Howe’s side competed well with Arsenal for the most part but lacked cutting edge in the final third with William Osula and substitute Yoane Wissa both seeing good chances go begging at either end of the game.
Aside from the early goal, a big talking point from the game was an incident which saw goalkeeper Nick Pope, on his return to the Newcastle starting line-up for the first time in two months, charge out of goal and take out Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres.
Pope missed the ball but took out the striker some distance from the goal. Referee Sam Barrott showed Pope a yellow card, much to the dissatisfaction of the Arsenal players and supporters.
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Premier League issue match centre statement
There were cheers when the big screen inside the stadium confirmed a red card VAR check following the incident, but the referee’s decision was ultimately upheld and Pope remained on the pitch.
Explaining the decision, which saw Pope booed by the home fans every time he touched the ball for the remainder of the game, the Premier League’s Match Centre released a short statement.
It read: “The referee’s call of yellow card to Pope was checked and confirmed by VAR – with it deemed that he did not deny an obvious goal scoring opportunity (DOGSO) due to the close proximity of a Newcastle defender, who had the possibility to claim possession of the ball.”
Mikel Arteta hits out at referee decision
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta hit out at the decision as he said unprompted following the full-time whistle: “I have to say as well, in my opinion, it's a clear red card.
“I watched it 10 times. If you have ever played football, it is a red card. It's the second time in two games because against Manchester City when Kai Havertz goes through and Khusanov fouls him at 1-1, the title is there. It is a red card, guys. So these are the margins as well and hopefully that's going to change.
“I don't know [why it’s not a red]. They will have their opinion. I'm here to give my opinion. I'm someone who has been in the game for a long time, and you talk to any of the players because the trajectory, where the ball is, there's no keeper there. If that were to happen the other way around, it's a red card.
“I’m saying it’s been the reality of the last two games in crucial moments when everything is at stake. We need everything to go our way and it hasn't. I'm not making any excuses; I'm the first one to understand.
“I didn't talk about it when we lost the game. I'm doing it when we won. It's a red card today, it’s a red card in Manchester and the world is different. That's it.”
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