Arsenal fans are fuming after a controversial VAR decision during their Premier League clash against Newcastle United on September 28. The incident unfolded in the first half when striker Viktor Gyokeres seemed to have earned a penalty after a clash with Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope. However, in a shocking twist, the original call was overturned following a lengthy VAR review, leaving supporters in uproar.
In the early moments of the match, Gyokeres intercepted a sloppy backpass from Jacob Murphy, skillfully nudging the ball past the oncoming Pope. As he fell to the ground, it appeared he had been tripped by the goalkeeper. Referee Jarred Gillett initially awarded a penalty, sending Arsenal fans into a frenzy with hopes of taking the lead. But the excitement was short-lived. After a tense three-minute review, Gillett reversed his decision, announcing to the St. James’ Park crowd that Pope had made contact with the ball and thus had not committed a foul.
The announcement was met with disbelief. “After review, the Newcastle goalkeeper plays the ball and there is no foul. The final decision is drop ball,” Gillett declared, igniting a firestorm of outrage on social media. Many supporters argued that while Pope did touch the ball, his contact was minimal, and Gyokeres would have likely reached it first if not for the goalkeeper’s leg.
The aftermath of the incident saw fans unleashing their frustrations at the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), the body overseeing refereeing in English football. The pervasive sentiment among Arsenal fans is that their team often suffers from dubious officiating decisions, and this latest incident only fueled their anger. Comparisons were quickly drawn to other recent controversial calls, including a red card issued to Chelsea’s Robert Sanchez against Manchester United, where many felt a similar scenario played out.
As the discussion raged on, some fans even speculated about referee Jarred Gillett’s potential biases, suggesting he might be a Liverpool supporter due to his absence from officiating Liverpool games. Gillett, hailing from Queensland, Australia, has been part of the Premier League officiating team since 2021, but his club affiliations remain a mystery—a commonality among referees.
The match continued with Newcastle eventually scoring through a header from Nick Woltemade, adding salt to Arsenal’s wounds. With tensions high and questions lingering about VAR’s role in the game, the fury from Arsenal fans is unlikely to dissipate anytime soon. This contentious moment not only highlights the ongoing debate surrounding VAR’s influence on the sport but also serves as a reminder of the intense emotions that accompany football at the highest level.
