Ally McCoist shares whether he thinks VAR should have ruled out Newcastle goal vs Arsenal

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Once again VAR is the talking point of the weekend after some controversial decisions in the Newcastle United v Arsenal game.

Anthony Gordon’s goal was steeped in controversy, but there were a number of key incidents in the game which have sparked debate online.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta labelled the decision to allow the goal a ‘disgrace’ and an ’embarrassment’ with the club releasing a statement of support the following day.

Speaking on the goal, talkSPORT presenter Ally McCoist has made the claim that there were no clear and obvious errors made by the referee and therefore the goal should have stood.

There were three checks that were made to potentially rule the goal out – if the ball had gone out of play, if Anthony Gordon was offside and if Joelinton had committed a foul.

Ultimately the goal did stand, but it’s certainly another grey area with VAR and what can be considered to be clear and obvious by the referees.

Ally McCoist has his say on VAR controversy in Newcastle v Arsenal

The Scotsman did actually believe that Joelinton’s push on Gabriel was “probably” a foul, but again couldn’t deem it to be a clear and obvious error.

“I’m going to tell you what I think. Is it a free kick? Probably. I don’t think it’s clear and obvious,” McCoist said.

“Is it offside? I think no. So therefore I think the goal stands. I just go back to the clear and obvious part.”

Regardless of your opinion on if it is a foul or not, it’s the clear and obvious rule that is causing all of these debates.

VAR may have got this one right, but in general because referees know they have VAR to back them up, they are less likely to make a bold call in the middle of a big game.

On another day Stuart Atwell may bring that back for a foul on Gabriel and VAR does not overturn the decision for the exact same reason.

Unlike the offside call in the Tottenham v Liverpool game, this was very much a subjective call and it’s difficult to see why both the club and manager Mikel Arteta are so outraged at a contentious call.