Arsenal were left raging in the first half of their Premier League game with Newcastle United on September 28 after a penalty in their favour was overturned.
Striker Viktor Gyokeres thought he had won a spot-kick after being brought down in the area by Magpies goalkeeper Nick Pope. However, after a lengthy review by the officials, the decision was changed.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was seen smiling sardonically on the touchline after the incident, which occurred when the scores were still 0-0. Newcastle took the lead later in the half through a header from Nick Woltemade.
The Sporting News looks at why the penalty did not stand, and why some Arsenal fans continue to rage online at officials.
MORE: Highlights, analysis and more from Newcastle United vs. Arsenal
Why was Viktor Gyokeres' penalty overturned in Newcastle vs. Arsenal?
In the 15th minute of the match, Gyokeres won a penalty for Arsenal after referee Jarred Gillett judged that Newcastle goalkeeper Pope had fouled the striker.
Jacob Murphy's untidy backpass was intercepted by Gyokeres, who nudged the ball past the onrushing Pope before falling to ground after apparently being tripped by the keeper's outstretched leg.
VAR then suggested Gillett review his decision on the pitchside monitor. There was a long wait, around three minutes, before the official decided to overturn his original call. He announced the to the St. James' Park crowd that Pope had made contact with the ball and therefore had not fouled Gyokeres.
#NEWARS – 14’ VAR OVERTURN
— Premier League Match Centre (@PLMatchCentre) September 28, 2025
After VAR review, the referee overturned the original decision of penalty to Arsenal.
Referee announcement: "After review, the Newcastle goalkeeper plays the ball and there is no foul. The final decision is drop ball."
The decision was debatable. The fact Pope made contact with the ball before bringing down Gyokeres ultimately swayed the officials' decision, but his touch on the ball was so minimal that the Arsenal striker would very likely have got to it anyway had Pope not tripped him.
Arsenal fans rage at PGMOL
A section of Arsenal's fanbase online has often vented frustration at the PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited, the body responsible for referees in English football). The anger generally stems from a perception of being on the wrong end of too many refereeing decisions.
Naturally, there was a lot of fury being vented on social media following the incident between Pope and Gyokeres. Some fans pointed to Robert Sanchez's red card for Chelsea against Manchester United a week earlier, in which the goalkeeper also appeared to get a touch on the ball in the process of fouling Bryan Mbeumo.
Watch (USA only):
Roberto Sanchez’s reckless challenge sees him sent off early on at Old Trafford! pic.twitter.com/WWMAMrFsNt
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) September 20, 2025
Others pointed to an apparent handball by Mohamed Salah in the build-up to Liverpool's equaliser at Crystal Palace a day before the Newcastle game. The champions went on to lose that match 2-1.
Is Jarred Gillett a Liverpool fan?
Jarred Gillett was the match referee for the game, with Darren England the VAR. It has been suggested Gillett is a Liverpool fan because he is not assigned to games involving the Reds, but his club allegiances have never been publicly disclosed, which is not uncommon practise.
Gillett is from Queensland, Australia. The 38-year-old has been a Premier League referee since 2021.
MORE: Where EPL referees are from, and which clubs they support