Raya insists 'the ball was out of play' and 'there was a big foul on Gabriel'

Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya has claimed Newcastle's goal should not have stood in his side's 1-0 defeat at St James' Park.

Mikel Arteta's side suffered their first Premier League defeat of the season as Anthony Gordon's controversial goal proved to be the difference.

The match was full of VAR-checks and controversies in what was tipped to be a hotly-contested clash, and boss Arteta raged after the match at the 'embarrassing' display from officials.

Speaking after the match, Raya felt Newcastle's goal should not have stood, claiming Joelinton pushed Gabriel seconds before Gordon's close-range finish and the ball had gone out of play earlier in the move.

'What I could see was the ball went out of play, and then after going to the dressing room, looking back at the goal, it's a big foul on Gabi. He's pushing him with two hands on his back when he's about to clear the ball,' he said.

'On the other hand, it could have been an offside position, that's harder to see. But the ball is out of play and the foul is a massive decision that's just going to cost us some points. We're really frustrated.

'The way we played, the way we competed, it was brilliant from everybody. We did what the gaffer asked us to do; win duels and get the ball up the pitch and everything, but decisions have taken a goal.'

With barely anything to separate the sides in a feisty encounter, Gordon tapped in the ball just a yard away from the goal line after Joe Willock's cross.

The former Everton man was the right person in the right place as the ball fell at his feet after Joelinton competed for the ball in the air with Gabriel.

However, match officials took nearly four minutes to decide whether the goal should stand with three separate incidents to investigate.

VA