Newcastle and Arsenal played out one of the most tense games of the season this evening in the Northeast.
The Magpies managed to hold on in the end as they secured a 1-0 win thanks to a controversial goal from Antony Gordon. VAR checked the goal over and over but in then, decided it was to be given.
It proved to be enough, and a frustrated Arsenal couldn’t get themselves going like they have in previous weeks.
That frustration threatened to boil over more than once and Kai Havertz could have had a red card before half-time for a more than reckless lunge. Instead, he was given a yellow, again after a VAR check, and the German remained on the field.
However, Richard Keys felt the decision not to send Havertz off was wrong and he was vocal about the officials and Havertz on his X account.
Richard Keys slams Kai Havertz tackle and decision
Taking to social media after the incident, Keys, who has criticised Mikel Arteta more than once in recent months as well, slammed the VAR and referees for the Havertz call.
It’s looking like yet another week where the officials are under scrutiny but more importantly, this was another sign of Arsenal’s weakness in attack.
Havertz was poor throughout the game and it once again showed why Arsenal fans are questioning his signing.
Indeed, he perhaps could have been sent off after this yellow, with a number of reckless challenges and moments from the German.
Arsenal need to go back to the drawing board with Havertz. For his reported £280k-a-week wages, Arsenal are getting nothing in return.
As for the referees, well, they just make their job even harder and it’s about time something was done about VAR and how the whole process works.