Dermot Gallagher and Jay Bothroyd agreed that Nick Pope was correctly shown a yellow card for his challenge on Viktor Gyokeres, contradicting Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta who insisted it was a clear red card during the Premier League title race
Arsenal star Viktor Gyokeres is fouled by Nick Pope.
Arsenal star Viktor Gyokeres is fouled by Nick Pope.(Image: PA)
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Former Premier League manager Dermot Gallagher has taken issue with Mikel Arteta's stance after Newcastle United goalkeeper Nick Pope avoided a red card during the match against Arsenal. Pope was caught out of position and collided with Gunners striker Viktor Gyokeres as he looked to break through on goal, with the English stopper only being shown a yellow card by referee Sam Barrott.
Former Arsenal striker Jay Bothroyd sided with the ex-official, agreeing that a yellow card was the correct call. Gallagher argued that Gyokeres would not have reached the loose ball before being brought down by Pope, with Magpies defender Malick Thiaw well-positioned to make the covering tackle.
At the time, Arsenal were ahead courtesy of Ebere Eze's stunning strike, and the numerical advantage could have made the remainder of the match far more comfortable as they went on to claim a narrow victory. The 1-0 win returned Arteta's side to the summit of the Premier League table above Manchester City, having played one game more.
Gallagher said: "I thought it was a yellow card. I think he's not moving towards goal, he's not in possession of the ball, he's too far on the wing and I think there's a covering player. There's so many different variations, I think it's possible but not obvious.
"If you run it again, I don't think Gyokeres would've got the ball because he stops. He anticipates Pope getting the ball, he stops, that's why I think Thiaw will definitely get the ball and not him."
Bothroyd, who started his career at Arsenal before making more than 100 appearances for Cardiff City, shared Gallagher's view. The 43-year-old insisted it wasn't a clear goalscoring opportunity.
He said: "I agree. There's another angle where you see Gyokeres step on to Pope's boot and that's how he initially goes down. Thiaw is there and is in close proximity to sprint onto that. It's not an obvious goalscoring situation.
"If he gets there, potentially he could, but that's why I don't think it's a red card. Thiaw is close enough where he could probably make a challenge. He's not sluggish, he's quite quick. Pope has impeded him, but he hasn't knocked him over."
However, Arteta didn't share that view and was furious with the decision not to reduce the visitors to 10 men. The incident happened during a crucial period of the Premier League title race where every decision could prove vital.
The Arsenal manager suggested it was the second consecutive week where their opponents had avoided a red card, claiming Manchester City should also have been reduced to 10 men during their top-of-the-table clash, which City won 2-1 to narrow the gap. The Gunners boss seems to have conveniently forgotten about Gabriel's head clash on Erling Haaland.
He said: "It's a clear red card. I've watched it 10 times. If you have ever played football, it is a red card.
"It's the second time in two games because I guess Manchester City, when Kai Havertz goes through, Khusanov fouls him, 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'm here to give my opinion and somebody that has been in the game for a long time. You talk to any of the players, because the trajectory of 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 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 putting any excuses, I'm the first one to understand.
"I didn't talk about it when we lost the game [at City]. I'm doing it [now] when we won. It's a red card today. It's a red card in Manchester and the world is different. That's it."