Newcastle star Joe Willock reportedly told Arsenal that the ball went out in build-up to Anthony Gordon's highly-controversial Premier League winner.
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Willock told Arsenal that the ball had gone out of playVAR understood otherwiseAllowed the goal to standWHAT HAPPENED?
According to an FA investigation has uncovered that the forward admitted to Arsenal players that he could not keep the ball within the field before his cross into the box that led to Gordon's goal.
Willock chased down a shot by Jacob Murphy, which initially appeared to be heading out for an Arsenal goal-kick. But he persisted and managed to retrieve the ball, subsequently crossing it into the box. Within the chaos of the penalty area, Joelinton managed to get the ball to Gordon, who seized the opportunity and tapped it into the net amid a scramble involving Arsenal defenders and goalkeeper David Raya.
It was a turning point in the match as it was that particular bit of action which decided the fate of the match in Newcastle's favour.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
The FA investigation was dealing with Mikel Arteta's comments who had labelled the VAR decision as "embarrassing" and "a disgrace" as even after a lengthy check that lasted over four minutes the goal was allowed to stand. However, the Arsenal manager escaped punishment after an independent investigation committee was satisfied with the explanation that the word "disgrace" has different connotations in Spanish and the meaning implied was different.
DID YOU KNOW?
A total of three checks were performed before the goal was awarded to Newcastle. Apart from the aforementioned incident, it was also checked whether Joelinton committed a foul on Gabriel before the goal and a potential offside.
(C)GettyImagesWHAT NEXT?
Arteta has escaped a potential touchline ban and should be present in the dugout when the Gunners take on Brighton on Sunday, December 17. After a 1-0 loss to Aston Villa, they will have their tails up to get the three points against the Seagulls as they sit in second presently, just one point behind Liverpool.