Bukayo Saka 'speechless' over VAR and claims decisions always go against Arsenal

Bukayo Saka has shared his thoughts on the Viktor Gyokeres-Nick Pope incident (Picture: Sky Sports)

Bukayo Saka has been left ‘speechless’ over VAR and says decisions ‘always go against’ Arsenal after the 2-1 victory over Newcastle United .

The Magpies were on course for a win but late goals from Mikel Merino and Gabriel Magalhaes saw Arsenal complete a dramatic comeback .

Before Nick Woltemade opened the scoring on 35 minutes, Arsenal had been awarded a penalty for Nick Pope appearing to foul Viktor Gyokeres .

The decision was eventually overturned , though, after VAR intervened with referee Jarred Gillett going to the monitor and deciding that the Newcastle goalkeeper touched the ball before he wiped out Gyokeres inside the box.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Arsenal superstar Saka said: ‘The penalty, you know, for me, like if we have VAR for clear and obvious errors, and the fact that it took the ref that long to decide…

‘So it’s not a clear and obvious error, but it’s things like this, these little things that always go against us.

‘But I think today, we got what we deserved for sure. I was speechless, man. But doesn’t matter now we won.’

Gabriel came to Arsenal’s rescue late on (Picture: Getty)

Woltemade scored his second goal for Newcastle (Picture: Getty)

Australian referee Jarred Gillett changed his mind (Picture: Getty)

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta , meanwhile, added: ‘Well, I watched it back and watched it live as well.

‘And if it’s not a clear and obvious error, VAR should not intervene.

‘We’ve been told this for a few years, this style of decision again, and for me, it’s very clear that it doesn’t have to intervene because it’s a penalty.’

Nick Pope appeared to foul Viktor Gyokeres inside the box (Picture: Getty)

Speaking more generally about Arsenal’s victory and Gabriel’s 96th-minute winner, Saka said: ‘It’s unbelievable.

‘Late winners – there’s nothing better in football. So speechless. I’m so happy.

‘When you’re on the bench and you can’t control and affect the game, but when you have guys like this guy (Mikel Merino) – he’s a big threat.

‘And obviously big Gabi (Gabriel). I have big trust in my teammates and we’ve got the win.’

Merino, who scored the 84th-minute equaliser, added: ‘Late winners are the best. But obviously, from my perspective, it is even greater.