Darren Bent reckons VAR made another big mistake during Newcastle vs Arsenal on Sunday

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VAR had a very busy afternoon during Newcastle United’s Premier League loss to Arsenal on Sunday.

It was one of those games where neither club were happy with the referee. Bukayo Saka complained about decisions after the game, while Newcastle United can have their own complaints.

Arsenal’s overturned penalty has been hotly debated despite Nick Pope getting the ball, while the Gabriel handball incident has reignited questions about the laws of the game.

Another incident saw Nick Woltemade clash with Gabriel immediately after the Newcastle United striker scored the opening goal of the game. The Arsenal defender struck the giant German in the face, but went unpunished.

Woltemade refused to shake Gabriel’s hand after the incident, and former Premier League striker Darren Bent believes that VAR should have intervened.

Darren Bent says Gabriel should have been sent off against Newcastle United

Bent appeared on TalkSPORT on Monday, admitting that Gabriel should have been sent off for violent conduct for what he did to Woltemade in the first half.

“I mean, if he goes down, it’s a red card,” he said.

“At first I couldn’t understand what Woltemade was talking about.

“But that’s Woltemade being honest, because if he goes down and VAR look at that, he’s gone because it’s violent conduct. He’s thrown his arm.

“Newcastle fans have got every right to say he should be in trouble for that.”

Nick Woltemade punished for staying on his feet against Arsenal after Bournemouth incident

Woltemade addressed the incident after the game, admitting that maybe the decision would have gone his way had he gone to ground.

“I’m not the type of player who will fall down for this,” he said.

“It’s hard, because sometimes maybe you have to do it, but this is not my type of football, and I don’t like it. He said sorry after, so I think he knew that he hit me in my face.”

Interestingly, this incident comes one week after Woltemade was called theatrical for trying to win a penalty against Bournemouth. The 23-year-old’s shirt was clearly pulled in the box, resulting in him going to ground. However, the contact was not deemed enough to award a penalty.

Seven days later, Newcastle’s most expensive signing is struck in the face off the ball but stays on his feet.

The guilty player then goes on to score the winner, rubbing salt into Newcastle United’s wounds.

It was a painful afternoon for the Magpies, who were second best at St James’ Park. However, that does not excuse the controversial decisions that went against Eddie Howe and his team.