Newcastle v Arsenal: Woltemade gives Magpies lead after Gunners penalty overturned in VAR controversy
Arsenal were left furious as they fell behind to Newcastle in a controversial first half.
Nick Woltemade scored his second Newcastle United goal to give them a 1-0 half-time lead against Arsenal, who were left fuming by two VAR decisions that went against the Gunners.
Arsenal looked set to have a huge chance to take the lead at St James’ Park, a venue where they have struggled in recent years, after Vitor Gyokeres went down under a challenge from Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope.
Gyokeres tumbled over after making contact with Pope’s knee, with Gillett pointing to the spot after a brief moment to gather his thoughts.
However, VAR intervened, pointing out that Pope had also made contact with the ball.
Gillett took a trip to the pitchside monitor and, after a lengthy discussion with the VAR, announced to a delighted home crowd that he decided to change his original call.
Mikel Arteta and his side were furious, and their frustrations reached even greater heights when Woltemade powered Newcastle in front.
The Germany international, Newcastle’s club-record signing tasked with helping fill the void left by Alexander Isak’s departure, rose to turn Sandro Tonali’s left-wing cross into the bottom-left corner, the goal allowed to stand despite Arsenal protestations that Woltemade had pushed Gabriel in the back.
However, VAR checked the incident and deemed minimal contact had been made, leaving Arsenal 45 minutes away from another defeat on Tyneside.