Mikel Arteta says Newcastle United should have had goalkeeper Nick Pope sent off against Arsenal for his challenge on Viktor Gyokeres.
The Newcastle goalkeeper received a yellow card in the 74th minute for a challenge on the forward outside of his box, with only Malick Thiaw there for cover. Gyokeres was brought to the ground and the counter-attack was stopped, with multiple players appealing to referee Samuel Barrott for a red card.
After the home side’s 1-0 win, however, Arteta said the decision was “clear” and it was the second time in two weeks such a call had gone against the league leaders.
“In my opinion, it’s a clear red card,” he said in his post-match press conference. “I’ve watched it ten times.
“If you have ever played football, it is a red card. It’s the second time in two games because I guess (against) Manchester City, when Kai Havertz goes through, (Abdukodir) Khusanov fouls him, 1-1, the title is there, it is a red card, guys. So these are the margins as well and hopefully that’s going to change.
“Today, it’s a red card in Manchester, and the world is different; that’s it.”
Gyokeres caught Pope outside of his box on the counter attack (Sky Sports)
The Premier League released a statement after the incident saying Pope “did not deny an obvious goal scoring opportunity (DOGSO) due to the close proximity of a Newcastle defender, who had the possibility to claim possession of the ball”.
#ARSNEW – 74’
The referee’s call of yellow card to Pope was checked and confirmed by VAR – with it deemed that he did not deny an obvious goal scoring opportunity (DOGSO) due to the close proximity of a Newcastle defender, who had the possibility to claim possession of the ball.
— Premier League Match Centre (@PLMatchCentre) April 25, 2026
Pope brought down Gyokeres as he tried to get around the goalkeeper (Sky Sports)
‘Fine margins extra critical at this stage’
Analysis by Arsenal correspondent Amy Lawrence
It was interesting that Mikel Arteta volunteered his opinion before being asked on a red card that was not given either by the referee or VAR review on Newcastle’s Nick Pope when he hauled down Viktor Gyokeres.
It felt like he wanted to make sure that it was part of the conversation, even more so after a potential sending off offence against Kai Havertz by Manchester City’s Abdukodir Khusanov also went against his team last week. He clearly sensed it is important to push back against decisions which could be heavily influential in the run-in.
With fine margins extra critical at this stage of the season, Arteta spoke out strongly for his team. It was worth noting that Pope was also fortunate to avoid a red card and the concession of a penalty when he collided with Gyokeres in the reverse fixture against Newcastle at St James’ Park earlier this season.
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