Newcastle vs Arsenal: Joe Willock Made Controversial Revelation As Mikel Arteta Escapes Charges

Newcastle vs Arsenal: Joe Willock Made Controversial Revelation As Mikel Arteta Escapes Charges

Martin Moses
updated at February 13, 2024 at 11:54 AM
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  • Mikel Arteta will face no punishment for his remarks after the game with Newcastle United
  • The commission revealed that Joe Willock made an important admission to Arsenal players
  • The game was marked by VAR controversy after Antony Gordon's goal was allowed to stand

The controversial game pitting Newcastle United against Arsenal on November 4 is seemingly far from over.

Anthony Gordon's goal in the second half survived a triple VAR check to prove the difference between the two sides, leaving Arsenal boss, Mikel Arteta fuming.

Mikel Arteta, Arsenal, Newcastle United, VA, FA charges
Arsenal boss, Mikel Arteta on the sidelines. Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA.
Source: Getty Images

The Spanish coach was charged with misconduct following his disparaging remarks about the VAR after the game. However, the Football Association's independent commission threw out the case, citing insufficient evidence.

"I've been 20 years in this country and now I feel ashamed. It's a disgrace. It's not good enough. I feel embarrassed to be part of this," he said at the time, as quoted by Reuters.

The bone of contention started with Joe Willock seemingly retrieving the ball after it had crossed the line. The former Arsenal midfielder then swung the ball into the area, where it was met by Joelinton.

The Brazilian appeared to push his compatriot, Gabriel Magalhaes as he headed down the ball.

Gordon then struck the rebound past David Raya to give Eddie Howe's side the lead. The foul and possible offside were checked and cleared by the VAR.

What Willock said about the incident

However, the official report from the independent commission notes that Willcok admitted to some of his former teammates that the ball had indeed crossed the line. Section 7b of the report reads as follows:

"[Mikel Arteta] was told by certain Arsenal players that Willock (a former Arsenal player) had expressed the view that the ball had gone out of play before he crossed into the penalty area."

The commission has rejected all charges by the FA, easing fears that Arteta would be forced to sit out of their upcoming cracker against Liverpool on December 23.

EPL explain Newcastle vs Arsenal VAR decision

Despite Willock's alleged admission, Sports Brief previously reported that former Premier League referee, Dermot Gallagher has lifted the lid on why the VAR allowed the goal to stand.

"The whole of the ball has to be over the whole of the line. You can look at it from that angle, and it is impossible to tell," he told the league's website of the incident.
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Martin Moses
Martin Moses is a sports journalist with over five years of experience in media. He graduated from Multimedia University of Kenya (Bachelor of Journalism, 2017-2021)
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