Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta bemoans VAR call as Bukayo Saka says 'things like this always go against us' after win over Newcastle

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Mikel Arteta bemoaned a VAR call and Bukayo Saka claimed decisions always go against Arsenal following their win against Newcastle United. The hosts were 1-0 up at half-time thanks to Nick Woltemade's header. The Gunners ended up securing all three points after late goals from Mikel Merino and Gabriel, but Arteta felt his side should have also been awarded a penalty.

Arteta relieved to win at Newcastle after questioning VAR decision - 'That's my opinion'

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Mikel Arteta believes VAR had no right to overturn referee Jarred Gillett’s decision to award Arsenal a penalty in their 2-1 triumph over Newcastle United at St. James' Park.

Nick Woltemade’s header put the hosts 1-0 up at the break, but late goals from Mikel Merino and Gabriel handed The Gunners a crucial victory in the context of the title race.

Arteta’s side were awarded a penalty in the 14th minute after Nick Pope collided with Viktor Gyokeres, only for Gillett to overturn the decision following consultation with the video assistant referee.

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The replay showed Pope got a touch on the ball, but the Arsenal manager insisted that it was not a clear and obvious error.

"If it is not a clear and obvious error, VAR should not intervene," he told Sky Sports.

"It is clear that VAR does not have to intervene because it is a penalty.

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"We want to achieve the next level, and to do that, you have to come to these places, and when there were some results yesterday, we wanted to show that conviction and desire to do it.

"You have to come to this place and you have to win. You have to find a way to do it, and it was tremendous."

The result meant Arsenal moved into second place, now just two points behind leaders Liverpool following their 2-1 defeat against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday.

Bukayo Saka said he believed that these contentious decisions always go against Arsenal.

"There are a few things we can speak about, for example, the penalty," he told Sky Sports.

"For me, if we have VAR, it is for a clear and obvious error, and the fact that it took the ref that long to decide shows it is not a clear and obvious error.

"It is things like this that always go against us, but today we got what we deserved, and that's why we are all so happy.

"It doesn't matter now, does it?"

Newcastle - Arsenal

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Newcastle now have just six points from their opening six Premier League fixtures.

The Magpies are sitting in 15th place ahead of their UEFA Champions League league phase clash with Union Saint-Gilloise on Wednesday.

They will then host Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Sunday.

Newcastle could have had a penalty of their own after the ball struck Gabriel’s hand inside the penalty area during the second half.

Eddie Howe accepted the decision of the referee during an interview with Sky Sports after the match.

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"I haven't seen it again, so that's why I haven't mentioned it," he added.

"I don't know if VAR didn't give the handball. I had a feeling it was initially, but it wasn't given, so you have to accept it.

"You have to look at yourselves first, otherwise you will not grow and develop.

"I thought we tried. We gave everything to the game. It was really physical.

"I do not think we were at our best today, to be honest. Arsenal played very well."

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