Another week, another controversial VAR decision going against a team at the Emirates. Newcastle United were left seething after a clear handball by Arsenal’s Gabriel Magalhaes inside the box was waved away, with VAR surprisingly opting not to overturn the on-field call.
So, why were the Magpies denied a stonewall penalty? The official reasoning hinges on two contentious points:
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“Natural Position”: Officials claimed Gabriel’s arm was in a natural position for a player jumping. However, replays show his arm was away from his body, making his silhouette larger and blocking the ball’s path.
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“Close Proximity”: The “too close to react” argument was also used. While the ball was struck from short range, the current rules also consider whether the player’s arm has made their body unnaturally bigger, which many argue Gabriel’s did.
For Newcastle fans, this feels like a familiar story of big-club bias and inconsistent application of the rules. Had the situation been reversed, the outcry would be monumental. This incident is a perfect microcosm of the frustration surrounding VAR in the Premier League—a system meant to eliminate controversy seems to be creating more than it solves
