Two VAR errors exposed by new footage as Nick Woltemade hits out at Arsenal incident

Heading into Sunday’s game against Arsenal, I think we all expected a tense affair, particularly after the last few games we’ve had against Mikel Arteta’s Gunners.

But to say the defeat was marred by controversy would be quite the understatement, with VAR not covering itself in glory once again.

And Arsenal defender Gabriel was at the heart of it: attempting to win a soft foul to deny Woltemade’s opener, striking the German in the face, getting away with a blatant handball, and then netting a last-gasp winner deep in added time.

Woltemade himself has commented on the clash, where footage clearly shows Gabriel step across his path and throw an arm into his face off the ball.

Woltemade on Gabriel clash

Speaking to Sky Sports, Nick Woltemade has questioned VAR's lack of intervention after Gabriel lashed out at the big striker, asking if you have to go down to win decisions.

"I'm not the type of player who will fall down for this."

Nick Woltemade comments on the incident with Gabriel 💬 pic.twitter.com/svASVRrk1B

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 28, 2025

The pair had already been enduring a physical game against one another. But Woltemade’s goal, a towering header past David Raya whilst Gabriel fell to the floor from some light contact, took their duels to a different level.

"After the goal there was a situation I felt Gabriel's elbow in my face in two metres, so his arm has to be really high.... I just said it to the referee that I felt something in the face and I think it's not right to feel something in the face."

"But, I'm not the type of player to fall down for this. It's hard because sometimes maybe you have to do this but this is not my type of football. He said sorry after, so I think he knew he hit me in my face. I didn't solve the situation to be honest."

"Why I didn't accept his apology? I don't like this, if you do some things in game and then a few seconds you say sorry, that's not part of the game. I like this situation where you can have a good battle but his elbow should not be in my face."

VAR didn’t review the incident, and later cleared the defender of what looked like a stonewall handball late in the second half, which looks a blatant spot kick based on footage showing Gabriel's arm in anything but a 'natural position' to block Elanga's effort.

Newcastle have been robbed. pic.twitter.com/c3RE1ivDSQ

— Samuel (@SamueILFC) September 28, 2025

Newcastle fans will rightfully feel aggrieved about a lot from today’s game, but the refereeing surrounding Gabriel will certainly near the top of the list of grievances.

A strong start from Woltemade

In spite of today’s result, Woltemade shone once again as the main no.9, with his second goal since signing from Stuttgart at the end of last month.

Alongside compatriot Malick Thiaw, he was our player of the match, and he’s silenced any doubters who will have felt it would take time for him to adjust to playing in the Premier League after playing in the Bundesliga.

With our next game being a high-stakes clash away to Union Saint-Gilloise in the Champions League, it would be a nasty surprise to see Woltemade not start on Wednesday night after the performances he’s put in so far for us.

We’ve got some big games coming up before the October international break. And after Sunday’s defeat, all of them became even more must win. Woltemade’s shown he’s more than capable of delivering where he’s needed most, now the rest of the team have to deliver their best performances too.