Pep Guardiola Explosive Comments Resurface Before Arsenal vs Newcastle Showdown
Arsenal are set to face Newcastle United tonight in a crucial Premier League clash, as both teams chase important points for different reasons.
Arsenal are pushing to return to the top of the table after losing 2-1 to Manchester City last weekend. City then moved ahead after beating Burnley 1-0. Both teams are level on 70 points, with the same goal difference, and are only separated by goals scored.
A win or draw for Arsenal tonight could take them back to the top, especially since Manchester City are busy with an FA Cup semi-final this weekend.
On the other hand, Newcastle are struggling badly. They have lost four matches in a row and eight of their last eleven games. They currently sit 14th in the table, and pressure is mounting on their manager Eddie Howe.
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Referee Appointment
The match at the Emirates Stadium will be handled by referee Sam Barrott.
Arsenal had previously won all matches officiated by Barrott before their recent FA Cup loss to Southampton. Newcastle, meanwhile, have had mixed results under him, including a win over Manchester City and a loss against them as well.
Barrott will be assisted by Tim Wood and Wade Smith, with Steve Martin as the fourth official. VAR duties will be handled by Jarred Gillett.
Gillett was also involved in the earlier meeting between these two teams, where a penalty decision involving Viktor Gyokeres was overturned after a VAR review. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was unhappy with that decision, although his team still managed to win 2-1 late in the game.
Guardiola’s Frustration
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola had earlier expressed frustration with referee Sam Barrott and the VAR team after City lost 2-1 to Newcastle in November.
Guardiola believed his team should have been awarded penalties in that match. Speaking later, he said:
“I say now I’d like to know why VAR in the 60th minute of the Premier League game against Newcastle, that we lost 2-1, it was 0-0 and it was a penalty for [Fabian] Schar on Phil Foden, not even consideration. In the 20th minute, there is an unbelievable penalty for the shot for Jeremy Doku off the hand, and not even VAR.”
He also questioned consistency in decisions, adding:
“Today, four people were not able to decide because the line was, I don’t know, but the second goal Newcastle scored [in November] the line was perfect. I’m not suspicious of that in 10 years.”
Guardiola continued:
“I didn’t say anything when we lost 2-1 here. I didn’t say anything in the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace – it is a red card after 30 or 40 minutes for [Dean] Henderson. Okay, it’s fine, but the fact we didn’t say. I’m pretty sure Howard Webb is going to call me tomorrow to make explanations for that.”
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Pep Guardiola Explosive Comments Resurface Before Arsenal vs Newcastle Showdown