Arsenal were left to rue their misfortune with VAR in their 1-0 defeat to Newcastle United with head coach Mikel Arteta likely to be furious with the events that unfolded in a feisty affair at St James’ Park. The Gunners were in control of the game in the first half before a Kai Havertz challenge took the tension up a notch. But after precious few opportunities to score, Anthony Gordon put the hosts ahead on 63 minutes and the goal was allowed to stand after a long VAR check for a possible ball off the pitch, foul and offside. While the lack of chances in the match was evident, there were plenty of incidents to discuss tempers boiled over on Tyneside – Express Sport looks at the main talking points after Arsenal fell to a narrow defeat.
Arteta stung by VAR
It will be interesting to see just how the Premier League and PGMOL explain their way out of another VAR howler after Bruno Guimaraes was extremely lucky to escape a red card for hitting out at Jorginho in an off-the-ball incident.
The Brazilian clearly threw out an arm to strike Jorginho’s head and the Italy midfielder went down clutching his head. Despite an extensive VAR review, no further action was taken – and Gary Neville was not impressed after the Sky Sports commentator reviewed the incident: “That’s not good. He’s got away with it. VAR had a long, long look at it,” he said. “I think he’s having a lucky boy. I’m not having that.”
It comes just days after Arteta said Arsenal couldn’t use VAR as an excuse, with the controversial video system not in use for their 3-1 defeat at West Ham in the Carabao Cup. Just four days later, he was left to rue its intervention, or lack thereof, to penalise Guimaraes after a clear act of violent conduct went unpunished.
Havertz frustration shows
No goals from open play, no assists, but very nearly a first red card in Arsenal colours. And yet, Arteta may be at least pleased that Kai Havertz has shown some life in the Arsenal shirt after struggling in his first months at the club. The £65million signing is already fighting to earn his place in the side and he may have taken the fight too literally with a fiery display.
The German threw himself into every challenge and his dangerous lunge on Sean Longstaff somehow didn’t warrant a red card in the eyes of referee Stuart Atwell. Even after that, Havertz could have seen red for a second bookable offence after launching into a 50-50 on Bruno Guimaraes.
He didn’t cover himself in glory, but it showed something bubbling within Havertz. Very often, his flimsy displays show little sign of passion or determination, but the former Chelsea forward revealed a darker side to his character – and one that Arteta may prefer to the feeble, quiet and ineffectual player that had turned up (or failed to) in the previous nine games.
Saka out of sync
Few would argue that Saka is the most important player in the Arsenal side after contributing goals and assists on a regular basis under Arteta. Across six games in September and October, he managed three goals and four assists, a respectable total for the 22-year-old.
But since he was hit by a series of small injuries and setbacks, Saka hasn’t looked the same player at the start of the season. Stationed on the right-hand side against the physical Dan Burn, the winger barely got a sniff of the ball and was limited in his influence.
He has now gone four games without a goal or assist, and it might be time for Arteta to give him a week off with Leandro Trossard chomping at the bit for a chance.
Unbeaten run abruptly ends
Arteta won’t be too disheartened with the fight his team showed against an impressive side like Newcastle. But losing on the same weekend as when Manchester City smash Bournemouth 6-1 will be a killer blow for the north London outfit.
They had gone 11 games unbeaten from the start of the season, winning seven of those, and obviously beat City thanks to Gabriel Martinelli’s late winner. But their failure to get anything out of a game in a battling nature may cause some to question if they have enough grit to win the title.
It’s still early days, of course, and with only a two-point gap to City, there is nothing to panic about yet. But Arteta will be hoping these defeats become an anomaly, rather than a pattern, after seeing their title hopes dented ever so slightly.
