Anthony Gordon’s goal for Newcastle United against Arsenal will be the subject of much debate.
The decision to award what proved to be the winner for Newcastle against the Gunners was hugely controversial.
Gordon’s strike survived three separate VAR checks, with Jacob Murphy’s cross that eventually led to Joe Willock crossing in looking as if it went out of play. After that was looked at, Joelinton was under the spotlight for a potential foul on Gabriel.
If that wasn’t enough, whether or not Gordon was offside was under the spotlight.
Still, it was ultimately awarded, sparking a furious reaction from Mikel Arteta.
Newcastle vs Arsenal: David Raya explains why Anthony Gordon’s goal shouldn’t have stood
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Arteta was not the only member of the Arsenal camp who hit out at the decision.
Indeed, goalkeeper David Raya was convinced Joelinton did foul his compatriot to nod the ball back into Gordon’s path for the goal.
“Very disappointed to lose especially with the goal decision,” he told Andy Sixsmith of Premier League Productions.
“The ball was out and it was a foul. Joelinton pushes him [Gabriel] with 2 hands.
“To not review it on the pitch we don’t understand. We kept going. The result not what we deserved.”
Newcastle vs Arsenal: Raya has no reason to moan
Those comments feel like a distraction tactic.
The fact is, Arsenal wouldn’t have been in a position for Joelinton to win the ball in the first place had Raya not flapped at Willock’s cross.
Nothing about what Raya did in that scramble looked convincing.
Arteta might have reason to moan but Raya’s argument is flawed.
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