Even Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce has admitted that Arsenal’s Emile Smith Rowe didn’t deserve to be sent off in their FA Cup clash at the weekend, as per his comments to Newcastle’s official website.
Smith Rowe played a starring role for Arsenal, as they picked up a 2-0 victory over Newcastle, but things could have been so much different if it wasn’t for VAR.
Smith Rowe was initially handed a red card for a challenge on Sean Longstaff, but upon review the tackle was only deemed worthy of a yellow.
And although Bruce admits that the decision seemed ‘cruel’ at full-time, he did suggest that Smith Rowe deserved to stay on the pitch.
“I have to be brutally honest,” he said. “I didn’t think it was a red card at the time.
“You can say it’s not quite going for us, when he gets the red card rescinded and then sticks the ball away, which is cruel.”
Smith Rowe’s goal ended up being the turning point in the contest, as he put Arsenal in the lead in extra time.
Newcastle had defended well up until that point, but the 20-year-old finally managed to breach their back-line, and he finished well when the opportunity arose.
Newcastle did have their fair share of chances, but Bruce’s side now look set for yet another trophy less season.
Smith Rowe, meanwhile, continues to earn plaudits at Arsenal – after some excellent showings over recent weeks.
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