Mikel Arteta bemoans second 'clear red' decision against Arsenal in as many weeks

AFC BournemouthArsenalAston VillaBrentfordBrighton & Hove AlbionBurnleyChelseaCrystal PalaceEvertonFulhamLeeds UnitedLiverpoolManchester CityManchester UnitedNewcastle UnitedNottingham ForestSunderlandTottenham HotspurWest Ham UnitedWolverhampton WanderersScores & ScheduleStandingsFantasyThe Athletic FC NewsletterPodcastsArsenal Back on TopAnalysing the Run-inTitle Race in NumbersRe-Refereeing Chelsea vs. Leeds 1970Mikel Arteta bemoans second ‘clear red’ decision against Arsenal in as many weeks Richard Heathcote/Getty Images Share articleMikel 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.” 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”. 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 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. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms