Former Manchester City and England goalkeeper Joe Hart has shed light on the controversial penalty decision that went against Arsenal during their Premier League Match Day 6 clash against Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Sunday.

The drama unfolded when Gunners striker Viktor Gyökeres appeared to be brought down by Magpies’ goalkeeper Nick Pope. Referee Jarred Gillett initially pointed to the spot, sparking wild protests from Newcastle players. However, VAR swiftly intervened, sending the referee to the pitch-side monitor. Moments later, Gillett overturned his original decision, leaving Arsenal players and fans furious.

Speaking on Match of the Day, Hart explained why the officials got it right.

“As Gyökeres went through, the immediate goalkeeper in me said, ‘I hope Pope got a touch on that, but I’m not 100 per cent sure,’” Hart noted. “As Pope plants his foot, he’s deemed not to be using a forward motion towards Gyökeres. Therefore, as Gyökeres’ knee clashes into Pope’s knee, it is just seen as a clash of bodies. It’s not Pope taking him out. It’s not a foul. Not a penalty.”

Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka, however, expressed frustration after the match, telling Sky Sports that Arsenal “are always on the wrong side of referees’ decisions.” Manager Mikel Arteta also shared his dismay, insisting his team had been unfairly denied a spot kick.

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From a technical standpoint, Hart’s explanation makes sense — goalkeepers are trained to plant their feet and spread their bodies to make themselves big. By the rulebook, Pope did not initiate the contact; it was Gyökeres who collided into him.

But here’s the catch: football isn’t just about the rulebook, it’s also about perception and consistency. From the stands, it looked like Pope clipped Gyökeres. Fans, players, and even neutrals saw an attacking move halted in a way that, on another day, could easily have been given as a penalty.

And that is the heart of Arsenal’s frustration — not just this incident, but a pattern. When big calls go against you repeatedly, it feels less like interpretation and more like injustice.

The Premier League thrives on drama, and VAR was meant to reduce controversy, not fuel it. But here we are again, debating whether technology and human judgment can ever blend seamlessly.

In truth, Arsenal may feel hard done by, but Hart is right: this was not Pope’s foul. Yet, Arteta and his men will argue the bigger battle isn’t just with their opponents on the pitch, but with refereeing decisions that seem to follow them like a shadow.