Gary Neville has disputed Mikel Arteta’s claim that Arsenal suffered from two “scandalous” VAR mistakes in their goalless draw with Newcastle United.
Tuesday night’s 0-0 draw with Newcastle deterred the Gunners from extending their lead at the top of the Premier League to 10 points.
At the Emirates Stadium, opportunities were few and far between, but Arteta thought Arsenal should have been given two penalties as they searched for a victory.
On the hour mark, Newcastle defender Dan Burn appeared to haul back Gabriel from a free-kick, before Arsenal were appealing for a spot-kick in the dying minutes for a handball.
Asked about the penalty appeals, Arteta said: ‘They are two penalties, it’s very simple.
‘I’m talking about what I’ve seen, now, and it’s two scandalous penalties.’
What Gary Neville Said
Neville, however, disagreed with Arteta’s strong statement. He mentioned that it would in fact have been ‘scandalous’ had the late handball resulted in a penalty.
The former Manchester United and England defender had more sympathy for the first appeal, however, and said Newcastle were ‘very lucky’ not to be penalised.
‘I thought it would be scandalous if it was given,’ Neville said on Sky Sports. ‘If Mikel Arteta had lost a game of football giving away a penalty like this, he would be absolutely fuming.
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‘That is not a penalty. Never in a million years is that a penalty. Arteta would not want that given against his team, he would be fuming.
‘He’s got a point on the first one. Newcastle are very lucky there. The handball is never a penalty. They can feel aggrieved over the first one.’
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