Arsenal VAR decision confirmed despite Mikel Arteta fury over Viktor Gyokeres incident

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Arsenal VAR decision confirmed despite Mikel Arteta fury over Viktor Gyokeres incident

Mikel Arteta was furious when Nick Pope was not shown a red card for bringing down Viktor Gyokeres when Arsenal defeated Newcastle in the Premier League

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Jarred Gillett has been appointed as the official to take charge of Arsenal's match against Fulham this weekend, despite sparking Mikel Arteta's anger against Newcastle. Gillett was the video assistant referee at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday and chose not to intervene when Nick Pope was only shown a yellow card for bringing down Viktor Gyokeres.

Pope flew out of his area to chase a loose ball but slipped and impeded Gyokeres in the 74th minute. Sam Barrott's assessment saw him caution the goalkeeper, deciding he did not deny an obvious goalscoring opportunity, despite Gyokeres appearing beyond the last defender.

VAR checked and confirmed the situation, suggesting Malick Thiaw was in close enough proximity. Gillett was comfortable with Barrott's interpretation of events.

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Safe to say, Arteta did not agree with Gillett's assessment. The Spaniard will have to contend with the referee's decision-making for an eighth time this season, however.

"In my opinion, it’s a clear red card," Arteta said in his post-match press conference. "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 [against] Manchester City, when Kai Havertz goes through, [Abdukodir] 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.

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"Today, it's a red card; in Manchester and the world, is different; that’s it.”

Arteta does not appear to have had many supporters over his verdict, however. Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher also believed a yellow card was justified.

He 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."

Even former Arsenal youngster Jay Bothroyd did not believe there was a clear goalscoring opportunity at Gyokeres' feet. The ex-Cardiff City striker highlighted the proximity of Newcastle defender Thiaw.

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."

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