Premier League make announcements after Arsenal and Newcastle VAR controversies

The Premier League has issued two major statements following a string of controversial refereeing decisions during Arsenal's dramatic triumph over Newcastle United.

Late strikes from Mikel Merino and Gabriel Magalhaes completed the turnaround after Nick Woltemade's 34th-minute breakthrough.

Yet prior to that, several pivotal judgements were rendered, with Arsenal being refused a spot-kick despite referee Jarred Gillett originally signalling towards the penalty spot.

Viktor Gyokeres had attempted to knock the ball beyond the advancing Nick Pope but appeared to be brought down by the Newcastle custodian.

Match officials at Stockley Park recommended an on-field assessment, and the verdict was reversed after Gillett spent considerable time examining footage from multiple perspectives, reports the Mirror.

"#NEWARS – 14' VAR OVERTURN After VAR review, the referee overturned the original decision of penalty to Arsenal, the Premier League Match Centre wrote on X. " the Premier League Match Centre posted on X. "Referee announcement: "After review, the Newcastle goalkeeper plays the ball and there is no foul.

The final decision is drop ball. "".

Nevertheless, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta held a completely different view regarding the incident.

"I watched it live and then I watched it on the screen and for me it was a penalty," he admitted during a press conference. "We were instructed very clearly again this season that unless it's a clear and obvious error, the referee is not going to intervene. It's not. So that's my opinion. We find a way to win the game. The team is still emotionally very, very, very calm and very composed. And that's a lesson that we took as well, probably from a few years ago."

With merely moments remaining, Arsenal were fortunate to avoid conceding a penalty despite the ball striking Gabriel's arm, which appeared to be positioned away from his torso.

Explaining why VAR Darren England opted not to recommend reversing the decision, the Premier League Match Centre confirmed: "#NEWARS – 85' The referee's call of no penalty was checked and confirmed by VAR – with the ball deemed to have deflected off Gabriel's shin and onto his arm."

After their role in multiple disputed decisions, the Premier League seems to be supporting England and Gillett with both officials scheduled for significant fixtures this weekend.

Based on their official website, the latter will handle VAR duties for Leeds United's clash with Tottenham on Saturday lunchtime.

He will then take charge of Wolves' home match against Brighton the following day. England won't be seen in a Premier League match until Sunday when he takes charge of Manchester City's trip to Brentford.

John Brooks has been appointed as the referee for Arsenal's encounter with West Ham United, with Simon Bennett and Mat Wilkes serving as his assistants and Chris Kavanagh stepping in as the fourth official.

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