BREAKING NEWS LIVE : Arsenal and Newcastle VAR audio revealed as PGMOL chief Howard Webb explains decisions

Arsenal’s clash with Newcastle was filled with VAR controversy, with Mikel Arteta branding the decisions a ‘disgrace’

The VAR audio from Arsenal’s clash with Newcastle has been revealed following several controversial flashpoints in the game between the two sides. The first of those came in the first half as Kai Havertz went for a reckless challenge on the byline that sparked angry reactions from the home team and supporters.

The incident was reviewed but ultimately there was no red card shown for the German international, who appeared to give a taste of more to come. Another potential sending off was checked later in the half as Bruno Guimaraes lunged into a challenge on Jorginho with his forearm and elbow first.

The incident left the Italian international on the floor holding his head as the two sets of players once again argued over the decision. A review deemed it wasn’t dangerous and as a result, Guimaraes stayed on the field of play, despite plenty of annoyance from those in red.

As if that wasn’t enough VAR action for the day, there were then three contentious calls to be made in relation to a goal scored in the second half. Jacob Murphy’s cross found the head of midfielder Joelinton, who nodded the ball back to Anthony Gordon for a simple tap-in.

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Three checks were needed for the phase of play, first determining if Murphy had kept the ball in the field of play for the cross, whether Joelinton had fouled Gabriel Magalhaes for the assist or if Gordon was in an offside position following that header. In the end, following a lengthy delay, the goal was given.

This was much to the dismay of Mikel Arteta, who later branded the decision as a “disgrace”, hitting out at the match officials. PGMOL chief Howard Webb has since explained the decision as part of Match Officials Mic’d Up, a monthly show aimed at bringing transparency regarding refereeing.

With the VAR audio being released, Webb said: “An unusual situation because there was three aspects for the VAR to check whether the on-field decision of goal should be overturned. We see the ball getting very close to the goal line (touchline), don’t forget we’ve got an assistant referee who is right in line, the ball hasn’t got a lot of pace as it goes to the line, so he’s looking right down the line better than any of our cameras.

“And we know the ball is curved, so it can be overhanging the line and we need the evidence that it’s out and we don’t have that here. The ball then comes over and Joelinton challenges Gabriel, could be a foul, might be a foul, the VAR decides that the evidence from the footage isn’t clear enough to warrant and intervene with a recommendation for a review for a clear error