Why Newcastle's penalty against Arsenal was overturned

Arsenal looked like they'd succumb to a Magpie blitz; the next major institution to feel Newcastle's wrath amid a backdrop of fervent Geordies.

Newcastle started Sunday's contest with Arsenal in characteristically rampant fashion, coming ever so close to taking an early lead through Jacob Murphy, whose effort cannoned off the post.

The Gunners were nothing short of overwhelmed, and it appeared the home side's superiority was going to be rewarded when a smart corner routine culminated in referee Chris Kavanagh penalising Jakub Kiwior for handling Bruno Guimaraes' goal-bound effort.

However, following VAR intervention, Kavanagh overturned his decision with the break in play proving to be the respite Arsenal desperately needed before taking the lead and eventually controlling the contest amid an impressive 2-0 triumph.

Why Newcastle's penalty against Arsenal was overturned

There weren't too many complaints on the field, but it quickly became clear once the replays were shown that the ball had actually struck Kiwior's thigh before brushing his arm.

The Polish defender got himself in an awkward spot, and he failed to get his arm out of the way. It wasn't in a particularly unnatural position, and it would've been a pretty harsh decision had the ball just struck his arm.

Nevertheless, there's no doubt that the ball hit Kiwior's thigh which led to VAR official Michael Salisbury encouraging Kavanagh to go over to the pitchside monitor. After reviewing several angles, Kavanagh decided to overturn his decision.

Reaction to Newcastle's penalty against Arsenal getting overturned

As the replays were clear cut, there wasn't much outrage at the decision. In fact, the sequence was a major win for VAR.

Speaking on commentary, Gary Neville said after the incident: "Kiwior looks sheepish.. he tries to pull his arm away, but it is the pace of the ball and the distance... he will get away with that, he must make the ref have a look at that again.

"The Newcastle players are having a right go at the ref, but they have not seen that it hit his leg first. The ref and the officials at Stockley Park have got that right."

However, not everybody was pleased with the decision. Former Newcastle striker Alan Shearer wasn't convinced Kavanagh had made a 'clear and obvious' error which led to the pundit having a rather heated exchange with retired Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher.

“Are you 100% certain that’s hit the top of his leg and it’s an absolute howler from the referee?” Shearer asked Gallagher while he was analysing the incident.

“I think the fact is he’s given the penalty that I don’t think is handball," the former ref responded, but Shearer wasn't having any of it.

“Can you answer the question? Are you absolutely 100% certain that’s hit his leg on the replays that you’ve seen?

"Because I can’t see it, you must have better eyes than I have, and why’s it taken seven replays if it’s that certain?” Shearer queried.