Arsenal vindicated with VAR complaint by ex-Premier League referee after Newcastle statement
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has discussed the VAR decisions that played out in Arsenal's clash with Newcastle on Saturday. Referees have been a major focus this season as a host of mistakes have put a spotlight on the PGMOL and performances of officials.
Five checks of the video review system caused plenty of discussion at St. James' Park, starting with a challenge from Kai Havertz in the first half. A high tackle that was off the ground sparked angry reactions from the Newcastle players, but VAR dismissed it as only a yellow card offence.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Gallagher explained the decision by saying: «If he got a red card he couldn’t argue, but it’s quite ironic that history has rewritten itself on Saturday. It reminds me so much of [Mateo] Kovacic a few weeks ago [against Arsenal] where he was right on the cusp of getting a red card.
»Again, the referee has given the benefit of the doubt because he is flying through the air, there’s no doubt about that. Reckless, he catches him with the wrong foot luckily because if he catches him with the first foot, I don't think (Sean) Longstaff would be getting up. I think luckily for him, he arrives low but if he’d have got sent off he couldn’t have argued. I backed the referee on the yellow card, but what I find hard is later in the game, I can’t see how he finished the match."
Then came a challenge from Bruno Guimaraes where he led into Jorginho with his forearm and elbow to the head, which caused plenty of anger. The VAR checked once again, but there was no recommendation of a review and no red card was given for the incident.
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