Dermot Gallagher reviews controversial decisions in the Premier League after each round of games, on behalf of Sky Sports.
The former top referee has now given his call on this incident in the Arsenal v Newcastle United match.
Dermot Gallagher looking at what happened during a big moment in this match at the Emirates.
A game that Arsenal ended up winning with that sole successful strike by Eze less than ten minutes into the match.
So what about this ‘controversial’ incident…
Dermot Gallagher talking to Sky Sports about this Arsenal v Newcastle United controversial incident:
INCIDENT:
After the match, Mikel Arteta was claiming Nick Pope should have been shown a straight red card instead of just a yellow for (according to Arteta) denying a goalscoring opportunity. Pope slid and missed the ball out wide out next to the side of the pitch, then his hand catching Gyokeres as the Newcastle keeper tries to get his balance.
IFAB say it must be an “obvious” goal scoring opportunity, while the Premier League Match Centre said the proximity of the defender was why it was just a yellow.
DERMOT GALLAGHER:
“I thought it was a yellow card. Not moving towards the goal. Not moving towards the goal and it’s too far out on the wing.
“I think there’s a covering player. There are so many different variations of what you do. So, I think it’s possible but not obvious.”
“Also, I don’t think he would have got the ball because he stops. I think Thiaw will get the ball and not him.”
SKY SPORTS PUNDIT AND FORMER PLAYER JAY BOTHROYD:
“I agree. There’s another angle where you see Gyokeres step on to Pope’s boot and that’s how he initially goes down.
“Thiaw is there and is in close proximity to sprint onto that. It’s not an obvious goalscoring situation.
“If he gets there, potentially he could, but that’s why I don’t think it’s a red card.
“Thiaw is close enough where he could probably make a challenge. He’s not sluggish, he’s quite quick.
“Pope has impeded him, but he hasn’t knocked him over.
“…the fact Mikel Arteta doesn’t now talk about Gabriel [for his headbutt on Haaland when playing Man City the previous weekend], which is the most obvious one, he needs to be a bit more objective.”
Arsenal 1 Newcastle 0 – Saturday 25 April 2026 5.30pm
Match Stats
Goals:
Newcastle United:
Arsenal:
Eze 9
Possession was Newcastle 55% Arsenal 45%
Total shots were Newcastle 13 Arsenal 11
Shots on target were Newcastle 3 Arsenal 4
Corners were Newcastle 2 Arsenal 7
Touches in the opposition box Newcastle 19 Arsenal 27
Newcastle team v Arsenal:
Pope, Miley, Thiaw, Botman, Burn, Bruno (Woltemade 75), Tonali, Ramsey, Willock (Elanga 86), Jacob Murphy (Barnes 66), Osula (Wissa 66)
Unused subs:
Ramsdale, Trippier, Hall, Alex Murphy, Neave