Arsenal
Webb: VAR Was Right to Overturn Arsenal’s Penalty Appeal
Webb rejects Arteta’s call after VAR showed Pope brushed the ball, explaining why no foul was given.
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
Martinelli backs Gyökeres to hit 30-40 goals with Ødegaard supplying the creativity
Martinelli says Gyökeres could score 30 or 40 goals as Ødegaard’s creativity creates clear openings
Gabriel Martinelli has publicly backed Viktor Gyökeres to reach the high double figures this season, suggesting the Swedish striker could finish with “30 or 40 goals a season.” Martinelli pointed to the influence of Martin Ødegaard as a decisive factor in that projection after Arsenal’s Champions League victory over Olympiacos.
The towering 27-year-old has proved a handful for central defenders even when not scoring, something that was underscored by his performance in Arsenal‘s 2–0 win over Olympiacos in the Champions League on Wednesday. Gyökeres outmuscled both Olympiacos centre backs in the build-up to Martinelli’s opener, finishing the game with three shots, 0.47 expected goals and seven touches in the opposition penalty area.
Bukayo Saka was also on the scoresheet midweek but it was Ødegaard who was the standout performer, with Martinelli believing the Norwegian will boost Gyökeres’ goalscoring numbers in his debut term. The forward’s physical presence and movement were highlighted as complementary to Ødegaard’s ability to find team-mates in dangerous positions.
“We are really happy with [Gyökeres], we trust him, we know his qualities and he’s one of the top strikers in the world right now,” said Martinelli after the victory.
“We trust him and we are trying to give him the confidence to score and to do his best on the pitch to help us. It’s really good to play with Martin there because he’s always trying to find you, when we make the movement.
“And for Viktor as well, his qualities as well, as he likes to go in behind and attack the opposition’s box. I think him playing with Martin as well is going to be good for him. We are going to try to give him the ball as much as possible to make him score, I don’t know, 30 or 40 goals a season.”
Martinelli’s assessment rests on Gyökeres converting chances that are created by Ødegaard and others, and on the striker maintaining the form shown against Olympiacos.
Arsenal
Arteta confident Gabriel will recover after precautionary withdrawal vs Olympiacos
Arteta: Gabriel expected to recover after being withdrawn vs Olympiacos; West Ham fitness watch plan
Mikel Arteta sought to calm concern over Gabriel Magalhães after the centre back was withdrawn during Arsenal’s victory over Olympiacos. The manager described the substitution as a precaution and indicated the issue is not expected to be serious.
“I think he’s going to be OK,” Arteta explained.
Arteta said the problem stemmed from a first-half challenge. “I think it was a kick, in the first half, and it was a bit uncomfortable. He could carry on but we decided not to take any risks because he’s played a lot of games. He’s coming back from a long-term injury and we need to look after him.” Those comments underline a cautious approach given Gabriel’s recent long-term layoff and his heavy workload since returning.
Despite the reassurance, Arsenal face a short wait to confirm whether Gabriel will be available for Saturday’s Premier League meeting with West Ham United. The Brazilian has played every minute of league action so far this season, following a hamstring injury that ended his 2024–25 campaign in April, so any enforced absence would halt that run.
Arsenal’s defensive options provide cover. Cristhian Mosquera replaced Gabriel alongside William Saliba when the change was made, and Riccardo Calafiori can also operate centrally despite being used primarily on the left in England. Piero Hincapié remains out with a groin issue; while his setback is not expected to be lengthy, the Ecuador international will not be fit for Saturday’s game.
Arteta’s handling of Gabriel’s withdrawal reflects a priority on long-term fitness over short-term gain. With rotation and alternatives available, Arsenal will monitor the centre back closely ahead of their domestic fixture, balancing the desire to maintain an unbeaten run of appearances for Gabriel against the need to manage his recovery following a significant prior injury.
Arsenal
Midweek Champions League preview: nine fixtures and straight predictions
Full midweek Champions League preview with concise predictions for nine Wednesday fixtures. in full.
Midweek delivers a full slate of Champions League fixtures and a chance for several clubs to set the tone for the 2025/26 league phase. Manchester City and Arsenal return after measured wins in Gameweek 1, while Borussia Dortmund and Juventus are both chasing first victories following their 4–4 draw two weeks ago.
Kick-off times begin at 5.45 p.m. BST for the early pair of matches before the main evening programme at 8 p.m. BST.
Qarabag made history in Gameweek 1 as the first Azerbaijani side to win in the Champions League proper, recovering from a two-goal deficit in Lisbon to overcome Benfica, who have since replaced Bruno Lage with José Mourinho. Copenhagen drew 2–2 with Bayer Leverkusen last time out. Prediction: Qarabag 1–1 Copenhagen.
The Belgians are coming, folks. Union Saint-Gilloise upset PSV Eindhoven at the Philips Stadion in Gameweek 1 and will host Newcastle United at the Joseph Marien Stadium. Newcastle sit 15th in the Premier League and lost 2–1 to Barcelona in their opening group game. Prediction: Union Saint-Gilloise 0–0 Newcastle.
Arsenal meet Olympiacos in a fixture that renews a long European rivalry that has produced mixed results for both clubs. Arsenal have evolved considerably since earlier Europa League exits. Prediction: Arsenal 4–0 Olympiacos.
With echoes of last season’s continental showpiece, Barcelona face Paris Saint-Germain in what is billed as a heavyweight clash despite injuries on both sides. Strap in. Prediction: Barcelona 3–2 Paris Saint-Germain.
Kasper Hjulmand has gone four games unbeaten since taking the Bayer Leverkusen job; Leverkusen drew in Copenhagen thanks to a stoppage-time own goal. PSV, still led by Peter Bosz, will seek a response. Prediction: Bayer Leverkusen 2–1 PSV Eindhoven.
Borussia Dortmund must recover from squandering a lead to Juventus two weeks ago but remain unbeaten domestically. Athletic Club impressed against Arsenal in Gameweek 1. Prediction: Borussia Dortmund 3–0 Athletic Club.
Manchester City travel to Monaco, recalling Guardiola’s team that bowed out to a Monaco side in 2016–17. Monaco need a response after defeat to Club Brugge. Prediction: Monaco 1–3 Man City.
Napoli will look to rebound after recent setbacks and a red card for Giovanni Di Lorenzo earlier; Sporting CP visit following a comfortable win over Kairat Almaty. Prediction: Napoli 2–0 Sporting CP.
Marcelino’s Villarreal face Juventus, who have begun well under Igor Tudor despite a draw with Atalanta. This should be tight. Prediction: Villarreal 2–1 Juventus.
Olise transfer interest intensifies as Liverpool join Chelsea and Manchester City in chase
Martinelli backs Gyökeres to hit 30-40 goals with Ødegaard supplying the creativity
