Les Ferdinand says Arsenal defender Gabriel ‘will be embarrassed’ by the role he played in Newcastle United’s opening goal at St James’ Park on Sunday.
The Gunners were pushing for an opener in the first half against Newcastle when the hosts broke the deadlock against the run of play.
Club-record signing Nick Woltemade headed home Sandro Tonali’s inviting cross on 34 minutes to give Newcastle a half-time lead.
Arsenal complained to referee Jarred Gillett over a slight push from Woltemade which left Gabriel on the floor but their appeals were quickly dismissed and VAR did not intervene.
Gabriel led Arsenal’s protests but ex-England striker Ferdinand said the Brazilian centre-back would be ’embarrassed’ when he watched the incident back.
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‘When I first looked at it I saw Gabriel go down and I thought, “oh no he’s put two hands on his back”,’ the former Newcastle, Tottenham and QPR star said on Sky Sports.
‘But then when I looked at again, when Gabriel sees this, he will be embarrassed. He’ll be embarrassed when he sees that.
Metro at the Match: Newcastle 1-2 Arsenal
Metro at the Match returns to bring you all the analysis from the biggest games of the season.
Here are our team’s key takeaways from Arsenal’s dramatic win at St James’ Park:
Super subs deliver again
Subs, replacements, finishers – call them what you want – but one thing is clear: Arsenal’s squad depth will be a vital tool in their bid to win the title this year. Gabriel Martinelli last week and Mikel Merino this around, Arteta’s second-half changes continue to get his side goals when they need them most. Ben Fleming, sports reporter
Was it a penalty?
Viktor Gyokeres was felled by Nick Pope and a penalty was given, but the Newcastle goalkeeper was saved by VAR as he got a slight touch on the ball. The decision remained debatable. Clear and obvious error? Surely not. Phil Haigh, sports reporter
Saliba benching raises eyebrows
Mikel Arteta’s team selection is back under the microscope after the benching of William Saliba on Sunday, particularly given the struggles of his replacement Cristhian Mosquera, who was hauled off at the break. Arteta said Saliba’s fitness still has to be managed – so why was he given the full 90 minutes against Port Vale in midweek? Ben Fleming, sports reporter
Woltemade a new hero but Magpies still look blunt
Newcastle have struggled for goals so far this season and they weren’t exactly free-flowing in attack on Sunday. Nick Woltemade has made a decent start and the giant German is a threat in the air, but Magpies fans will be relishing the return to fitness of Yoane Wissa to spark some attacking verve. Phil Haigh, sports reporter
Exciting Eze continues to give Arteta a dilemma
Finally deployed in a central attacking position, Eberechi Eze was at least one bright spot for the Gunners. Martin Odegaard has made that position his own in recent years, but Arteta may soon be forced to consider if his captain is the best man for the job in the coveted No10 role. Ben Fleming, sports reporter
Thiaw looks a great addition
In a transfer window awash with sagas, Malick Thiaw arriving at Newcastle from AC Milan went under the radar. The defender was fantastic here, dealing with Gyokeres impressively. Physically imposing and technically good on the ball. Phil Haigh, sports reporter
‘I think it looked like there had been a push because all the players started appealing for it, but then when you see it again you think, “how did he go down for that?”‘
On Woltemade’s goal – his second since a £69m summer move from Stuttgart – Ferdinand added: ‘It’s his second goal here, two headers which is one of things he’s not really noted for.
‘When you look at his size you expect him to head the ball a bit more but it’s not one of the things he’s known for but he took that one really, really well.’
Former Chelsea winger Pat Nevin was also critical of Gabriel, telling BBC Radio 5 Live: ‘He needs to be stronger.
‘The fact he went down indicates to me that he knew he was beaten or knew he had been done, so he threw himself down. He didn’t get it and I am with the referee in that one.’
Gary Neville, meanwhile, agreed with VAR’s decision not to intervene despite Arsenal’s protests.
‘It’s a big, big goal from a big, big man,’ he said on Sky Sports commentary. ‘Arsenal are complaining about a push. David Raya went crazy!
‘It’s two hands from Woltemade on the back of Gabriel. It’s a little touch. Not enough in it. VAR say minimal contact – and I agree with them.
‘A really clear line from VAR, saying: “A little touch in the back does not make Gabriel go down like he does”. I think they got that one right.’
Woltemade’s goal came shortly after VAR overturned an Arsenal penalty which was given for a Nick Pope foul on Viktor Gyokeres.
‘After review, the Newcastle goalkeeper plays the ball and there is no foul,’ referee Gillett announced following a VAR recommendation.
Ferdinand backed the VAR’s decision, saying: ‘Nick Pope does get a touch. My understanding is once the goalkeeper gets a touch and deviates the ball, it’s not a penalty.’
But Jamie Redknapp was ‘amazed’ that the penalty was overturned, adding: ‘He gets a touch but I’m not sure it’s enough to negate the foul.
‘I’m amazed that got overturned. He definitely clears him out.’
It looked as though Woltemade’s header would be enough to earn Newcastle victory over Arsenal but Mikel Merino equalised on 84 minutes with a glancing header.
Gabriel then followed suit deep into injury-time from a Martin Odegaard corner to spark bedlam in the away end at St James’ Park.
Arsenal’s thrilling 2-1 win leaves Mikel Arteta’s side second in the Premier League – two points behind defending champions Liverpool – while Newcastle United are 15th after six games.
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