BBC Sport pundit Stephen Warnock has said that Newcastle United fans should not bemoan the penalty call that was overturned against Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal in the first half of the Premier League game at St. James’ Park on Sunday.
The former Liverpool defender has said on BBC Sport that it was the right decision not to allow Newcastle the penalty in the opening minutes of the match against Arsenal.
Referee Chris Kavanagh awarded the home team a penalty for handball.
A well-worked corner from Newcastle resulted in Bruno Guimaraes’s shot hitting Jakub Kiwior’s arm inside the penalty area.
However, after a lengthy VAR check, the decision was overturned after replays showed that the ball had struck the Arsenal defender’s thigh before hitting his arm.
Although Newcastle players protested against the decision, it was the right call in the end.
Newcastle fans were not happy, though, especially as moments later Martin Odegaard scored for Arsenal at the other end.
Stephen Warnock on Newcastle United vs Arsenal
Warnock was following the match for BBC Sport, and he believes that it was the right decision.
“It’s come off the thigh then onto the arm, it’s definitely not a penalty,” said Warnock. “I don’t know why the Newcastle fans are so irate.”
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
