‘I take it all back’: Gary Neville makes U-turn on 24-year-old Arsenal player in loss at Newcastle

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Arsenal and Newcastle played out a fiery and controversial Premier League contest with plenty of flashpoints, controverties and talking points.

For instance, Gunners summer signing Kai Havertz weighed in with an unpleasant-looking challenge on Sean Longstaff in the 38th minute of the match.

The Arsenal midfielder’s actions, and the ensuing yellow card, prompted an angry response from some Newcastle players, who felt it should’ve been a red.

Anthony Gordon received a booking for questioning the referee’s decision, before Longstaff and Fabian Schar also went into the book for their remonstrations.

Gary Neville, commentating on Sky Sports, initially criticised Havertz, before then making a tongue-in-cheek U-turn after the Magpies trio were booked.

“What is he doing? It was a stupid challenge. I think it was dangerous,” said the pundit.

Then, he went on to say: “He’s done pretty well Havertz – he’s got three Newcastle players booked! It’s a good tactic, I take it all back!”

The Arsenal player went in with another strong challenge after the break, sliding in on Callum Wilson in the 50th minute.

“What is he doing, Kai Havertz? He (Mikel Arteta) has to take him off,” Neville said.

Arsenal lose to Newcastle in controversy-laden encounter

In the end, a contentious officiating decision of another kind ended up settling the game at the expense of Arsenal.

Anthony Gordon scrambled the ball in after Joe Willock’s cross was headed down by Joelinton, who appeared to push Gabriel in the process.

VAR decided that the ball didn’t go out of play, Joelinton did not commit a foul, and Gordon was not offside.

There will no doubt be a lot of debate about the Newcastle winner, not to mention other flashpoints such as Bruno Guimaraes not seeing red for a forearm on Jorginho.