Arsenal handed fresh penalty verdict after controversial Newcastle decision - 'What a farce'

Richard Keys has hit out at the ‘farcical’ decision that saw Arsenal stripped of a penaltyin their win against Newcastle. The Gunners thought they had been awarded a spot-kick in their Premier League showdown at St James’ Park as Viktor Gyokeres was taken down by Nick Pope.

But following a VAR review, the decision was overturned - a call that infuriated Mikel Arteta. Broadcaster Keys has also taken aim at the decision and claimed that IFAB are not consistent with their decision-making, having pointed to a similar situation that Arsenal were involved in.

The North London side conceded a penalty last season against Brighton as William Saliba clashed heads with Joao Pedro just after getting a touch on the ball.

• Arsenal vs Olympiacos LIVE: Martinelli gives the Gunners lead but Gyokeres wastes big chances
• Is Arsenal vs Olympiacos on TV? How to stream Champions League encounter

Taking to Twitter, Keys said: “So according to Webb it’s ‘good use of VAR’ because Pope got a touch on the ball but when Saliba got a good head on the ball before catching Joao Pedro he said ‘That touch on the ball doesn't negate the possible award of a penalty’. It can’t be both. What a farce.”

FormerPremier League officials and current head of referees Howard Webb has recently explained the decision. He said: "So he [the referee] checks the penalty, makes sure that the decision is not clearly wrong.

“When he does that, he clearly sees that Gyokeres gets to the ball, pokes it a little bit forward, but then, importantly, Nick Pope also gets a very clear touch on the ball as he steps forward with that right foot and deviates the direction that the ball is going.

"And that hadn't been appreciated on the field by the referee. Pope then plants his foot on the ground. He doesn't drive it forward into Gyokeres.

"There's a gap, clearly a gap, between the two players after Pope has played the ball, and then the two players come together quite normally. The action by Pope is normal. It's not reckless. It's just a kick out towards the ball. The ball deviates.

"No contact on the player until the ball has been played away, and then the contact happens fairly normally. So, not a foul, and therefore a good use of the VAR to intervene to show the referee what really happened.”

In the end, the cancelled penalty did not end up costing Arsenal too much, as they eventually found a route beyond Newcastle. Nick Woltemade had given the home side the lead, with Mikel Merino equalising late on.

Brazilian defender Gabriel Magalhaes then nodded home a 96th-minute winner for Arsenal, who are now just two points behind current leaders Liverpool.