Controversy has once again engulfed the Premier League after a former referee launched a scathing attack on VAR, following Arsenal’s 1–0 defeat to Newcastle on Sunday. The flashpoint came midway through the second half when Viktor Gyökeres was brought down by goalkeeper Nick Pope inside the box — yet no penalty was awarded after a lengthy VAR check.
“Simply Astounded”
The ex-official, speaking to reporters after the match, admitted he was “simply astounded” by the decision.
“From every angle, it looked like a clear foul. The goalkeeper doesn’t get the ball, he takes the man. In my day, that’s a penalty all day long. VAR was brought in to correct obvious errors, and if this isn’t obvious, I don’t know what is.”
His comments have added fuel to the growing debate around the consistency and credibility of VAR decisions in England’s top flight.
Arsenal Left Frustrated
For Arsenal, the incident proved pivotal. Already trailing to Newcastle’s first-half strike, the Gunners pressed hard for an equalizer. When Gyökeres was brought down, Arsenal players immediately appealed, with Mikel Arteta furiously gesturing from the technical area. However, after a brief on-field pause and a communication with VAR officials, referee Anthony Taylor waved play on.
Arteta, visibly frustrated post-match, stopped short of directly criticizing the officials but admitted:
“Moments like these change games. Everyone saw it. We’ll leave it there.”
VAR Under the Spotlight
This latest flashpoint comes amid a season of growing backlash against VAR, with critics arguing that the system, designed to eliminate controversy, has instead created more frustration and confusion.
Fans on social media erupted after the incident, with hashtags like #VARCrisis and #ArsenalRobbed trending within minutes of the final whistle. Many echoed the former referee’s sentiment that VAR is failing to deliver clarity in the most crucial moments.
What Happens Next
The PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited) is expected to review the decision this week, though it remains unclear whether an apology will be issued to Arsenal, as has happened in other controversial cases this season.
For now, the incident leaves Arsenal licking their wounds after a narrow defeat, while the Premier League faces yet another storm over its use of video technology.
Do you want me to expand this into a deep-dive feature (around 1,000 words) analyzing Arsenal’s broader history with VAR controversies, or keep it as a straight breaking news piece like above?
