JARRED GILLETT was involved in PGMOL protocol being broken in Arsenal’s 2-1 win at Newcastle on Sunday.
But it was not the referee’s fault and maybe, it was the way forward in terms of officials giving a bit more detail following their decisions.
Some alert Arsenal fans may have heard a conversation over the stadium PA between Gillett and Bukayo Saka at St James’ Park as the ref’s microphone was accidentally left on.
This private conversation should NEVER have been heard by the crowd or TV viewers.
Arsenal fans were livid after Gillett, having awarded a penalty after Viktor Gyokeres collided with keeper Nick Pope, was called over to the screen by VAR.
After much deliberation – and the decision did take too long – Gillett decided not to give Arsenal the penalty because it was deemed that Pope made contact with the ball first, despite clearly taking out Gyokeres.
Announcing his decision to the home crowd, Gillett said: “After review, the Newcastle goalkeeper plays the ball and there is no foul. The final decision is a drop ball.”
Yet Gillett could then be heard talking to Saka. He said: “Before there is any contact, the goalkeeper gets a toe on the ball, that’s why.”
For many, this extra bit of info would have been helpful as Gillett was clarifying the decision.
Yet many Arsenal supporters will have still been annoyed that Gillett – yet again – was being involved with one of their games.
However, should the referee’s microphone be left on longer during matches? Maybe it is not a bad idea.
Sporting family
ANDRE ANNOUS is one of the rising stars in the Arsenal set-up and he featured for the under-19s in their 2-1 loss to Olympiakos in the Uefa Youth League at Boreham Wood on Wednesday.
Last season, he scored in six different competitions for a total of 18 goals from 37 games and is eligible to play for England or Nigeria at international level.
And when it comes to international sport, he has a relative who can give him some decent advice.
While his brother Brandon plays for Braintree in the National League, his cousin is Maro Itoje, captain of the England national rugby union team and a lifelong Arsenal fan.
A man’s best friend
BUKAYO SAKA missed three months of last season with a hamstring injury and he has revealed a key factor in how he remained upbeat – he bought a puppy.
Saka said: “I spent a lot of time with my family, with myself. I got a puppy as well, so he helped me keep my spirits high – he kept me busy as well. It was hard work at the start!”
Here for the Ryde
ARSENAL captain Martin Odegaard has revealed he loved watching the Ryder Cup at the weekend and was rooting for a fellow countryman.
The midfielder said: “It’s good to see a Norwegian on the team. I don’t know Viktor Hovland personally, but he’s a big name in Norway and he’s done a lot of incredible things. Already at a young age.
That’s really inspiring and it’s good to have Norwegians out there showing their quality to the world.”
Right on cue
CARLOS CUESTA has faced a baptism of fire at Parma after ending his five-year stint as an assistant to Mikel Arteta.
But the young Spanish coach was celebrating on Monday night with his first Serie A win at the fifth attempt with his team beating Torino 2-1.
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