Howard Webb has publicly disagreed with Mikel Arteta’s criticism of a non-penalty decision after Arsenal’s late 2–1 victory over Newcastle United. The incident occurred when Gyökeres rounded Newcastle United’s goalkeeper Nick Pope midway through the first half. Arsenal argued for a penalty after contact was made, but Webb says the VAR intervention showed the full sequence.

“There was an important part around this in that the referee didn’t recognise that touch by Pope in real time,” Webb explained on Match Officials Mic’d Up .

Webb outlined the process that led the VAR to recommend a review and why the referee then went to the pitchside monitor.

“Hence the reason that when the VAR saw it, he deemed it to be a clear and obvious error because that touch by Pope hadn’t been seen, and therefore the referee could go to the screen to look at that really important aspect and make a judgement for himself, and the judgement was: I’ve seen the touch, therefore it’s not a foul, and I’m going to start with the drop ball.”

Supporters of Arsenal pointed to the sending off of Robert Sánchez for Chelsea against Manchester United earlier this season, where Sánchez also made contact with the ball before connecting with a forward, Bryan Mbeumo. Webb rejected the comparison and described key differences between the two incidents.

“Pope then plants his foot on the ground. He doesn’t drive it forward into Gyökeres,” Webb said. “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.”

Webb’s explanation concentrates on the sequence of touch, the referee’s initial lack of sight, and how VAR restored the correct on-field decision.

Arsenal secured a late stoppage-time victory at St. James’ Park, with Gabriel’s header delivering a win that ended their wait for a success at Newcastle since 2023. The decisive moment came after a tense sequence in the Arsenal area that might have produced a penalty a few minutes earlier.

Shortly before scoring the winner, Gabriel slid in on Anthony Elanga as Elanga attempted a cross. His arm was outstretched and the ball struck it, prompting Newcastle appeals and scrutiny from commentators Jon Champion and Graeme Le Saux as video assistant referee footage was examined.

The VAR intervention ultimately relied on the ball’s trajectory. The review found the ball deflected off Gabriel’s shin before contacting his arm, and that detail proved decisive. VAR confirmed Jarred Gillett’s on-field decision of no penalty because the ball first deflected off of Gabriel’s shin before hitting his arm. Gabriel then scored in the sixth minute of eight added on, completing a dramatic finish to an already high-energy match at a raucous St. James’ Park.

VAR had earlier been involved in a separate incident when Nick Pope and Viktor Gyökeres collided in the Newcastle box. Initially Gillett pointed to the penalty spot after the goalkeeper challenge, but a lengthy check and an on-field review led to the decision being overturned.

“After review, the Newcastle goalkeeper plays the ball and there is no foul. The final decision is drop ball,” Gillett said. The referee was also heard on a hot mic telling Declan Rice that Pope got a touch on the ball with his toe.

Arsenal left with three points, a result that added pressure to Liverpool after the Reds lost for the first time this season to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park thanks to a late-minute winner. The match at St. James’ Park illustrated how marginal interventions by VAR and fine lines in deflections can alter the outcome of tight Premier League encounters.

Arsenal produced a dramatic late turnaround to beat Newcastle United 2-1, Gabriel heading home the decisive goal in stoppage time. The visitors trailed for much of the match before two substitutes combined to change the game late on. After Mikel Merino glanced Declan Rice’s cross beyond Nick Pope, Martin Ødegaard swung in the corner from which the contest was won.

The game carried fresh controversy. In real time, Nick Pope’s challenge on Viktor Gyökeres looked a stonewall penalty, and even replays made it look strong. It became clearer what the video assistant referee was focused on when Pope’s touch on the ball before bringing down the Swede was shown. Debate will continue over whether a spot kick should have been awarded; Gillett took his time to consult the monitor. The sequence left Arsenal supporters aggrieved, with memories of last season’s incidents such as William Saliba’s contact in the 1-1 draw at Brighton & Hove Albion resurfacing.

Nick Woltemade’s goal owed something to Gabriel’s reaction in the area; the Brazilian went down far too easily and later perhaps escaped further punishment for a handball at 1-1 before scoring the winner. Those moments balanced out over the full 90-plus and helped produce a match of fine margins.

Individually, Nick Pope still produced a number of key stops. He tipped Eze’s left-footed effort around the post, denied Eze and Bukayo Saka in the first half and then saved from Jurriën Timber after the restart. He conceded twice but prevented 0.89 goals, according to FotMob. On the other flank, Newcastle struggled to sustain pressure, though Nick Woltemade has emerged as a solution while Yoane Wissa is injured. The German tends to drift left, shows excellent footwork and retention under pressure, and his combative combination play suits this Newcastle side.

For Arsenal, the win felt significant. They were good for long periods, substitutions were decisive and the result leaves them positioned just two points behind the champions.