Richard Keys slams Premier League for Arsenal VAR call as Howard Webb warned about official

PGMOL head Howard Webb has been criticised for placing Jarred Gillett on VAR duties for Arsenal's trip to Newcastle United after he was recently at Stockley Park for the Gunners' clash with AFC Bournemouth.

During the game on the South Coast, William Saliba was handed a straight red card for fouling Evanlison. Originally, the referee Rob Jones awarded a free kick and a booking but he was advised by Gillett to go to the monitor and review his decision.

As is often the case, upon further inspection, the on-field referee decided the challenge was preventing a goalscoring opportunity and Saliba was dismissed. To add to the feeling of misfortune for Arsenal fans, the next day Chelsea's Tosin Adarabioyo escaped a sending-off for what some thought was the same offence as Saliba's.

Despite naming Levi Colwill as being responsible instead of Adarabioyo, presenter Richard Keys warned that Arsenal could be due another controversial decision because of Gillett's appointment this weekend. He wrote on X: "I’m a little surprise to see Jarred Gillett back on VAR duty for an Arsenal game so soon after the Saliba controversy.

"No-one ever told us why he was sent-off but Colwill and [Micky] Van de Ven weren’t. I guess Howard Webb can’t be everywhere.

"Keep an eye on Gillett at Newcastle." The consensus among pundits and the PGMOL is that while on the surface both incidents seemed to be the same, Saliba had prevented a goalscoring opportunity while Adarabioyo did not.

READ MORE: The truth about Webb intervention in Saliba red card

READ MORE: Premier League make decision on controversial Arsenal referee

Saliba is back available in the Premier League for this weekend's clash at St James' Park after missing Liverpool due to the suspension picked up at Bournemouth.

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