At a Glance:
- Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer on Nick Pope not getting a red card during Arsenal vs Newcastle United.
- Lineker and Shearer have the same opinion.
- Why Pope did not get sent off.
Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer chimed in on whether Nick Pope deserved a red card during Arsenal’s 1-0 victory against Newcastle United.
An onrushing Pope took Viktor Gyokeres out but Mallick Thiaw was in close proximity to the pair.
Gary Neville backed referee Sam Barrott as he felt the England international’s challenge was worthy of a yellow card. However, the decision has split opinion among many. Recently, there was also debate around whether Abdukodir Khusanov should have been sent off against the Gunners.
The Uzbek defender outmuscled Kai Havertz and sent him to the ground when he was clean through on goal but escaped a sending off.
Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer agree Nick Pope did not deserve red card vs Arsenal
Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer agreed on The Rest Is Football podcast as they felt Pope was rightly not given a red card against Arsenal.
Gary Lineker said: “I didn’t [think it was a red card], I didn’t at all. Because one, Gyokeres kind of stopped and then Pope missed it and then he did bring him down. But the ball was so wide and by that stage, I think Thiaw was back. And I think he would’ve covered it.”
Alan Shearer agreed: “It’s never a red card. I mean, you’ve got the standard laws, he’s going away from goal and there’s a covering defender there so it’s not a goalscoring opportunity.”
Gary Lineker replied: “He’s not only going away from goal, he’s nearly on the side line of the pitch.”
Why Nick Pope escaped red card during Arsenal vs Newcastle
Arsenal fans will ultimately not be too bothered by Sam Barrott’s decision as the Gunners went on to win the game.
If the Magpies had eventually equalised, however, Barrott’s decision would have been considered one of the most controversial all season.
The Premier League Match Centre explained that Pope’s decision to hack Gyokeres down was not the denial of a clear goalscoring opportunity.
#ARSNEW – 74’
— Premier League Match Centre (@PLMatchCentre) April 25, 2026
The referee’s call of yellow card to Pope was checked and confirmed by VAR – with it deemed that he did not deny an obvious goal scoring opportunity (DOGSO) due to the close proximity of a Newcastle defender, who had the possibility to claim possession of the ball.
The presence of Thiaw, who was in close proximity to the pair as the covering defender meant Pope’s tackle was only worthy of a yellow card.
Arsenal will be hoping that none of their subsequent results are marred by controversial refereeing decision as they dream of making history at the end of the season.
