Newcastle striker Nick Woltemade thinks Gabriel would have been sent off for an elbow if he had fallen to the ground.

The Arsenal defender made the lunge at his opponent shortly after Woltemade put the home side in the lead, and speaking about the incident following the match, the Magpies’ No.27 said:

“After the goal, there was a situation I felt Gabriel’s elbow in my face in two metres, so his arm has to be really high… I just said it to the referee that I felt something in the face and I think it’s not right to feel something in the face.”

“But, I’m not the type of player to fall down for this. It’s hard because sometimes maybe you have to do this but this is not my type of football. He said sorry after, so I think he knew he hit me in my face. I didn’t solve the situation to be honest.”

“Why I didn’t accept his apology? I don’t like this, if you do some things in game and then a few seconds you say sorry, that’s not part of the game. I like this situation where you can have a good battle but his elbow should not be in my face.”

Gabriel was very lucky to be still on the pitch

Newcastle can feel aggrieved that VAR did not look at the incident more closely. It clearly was not seen by referee Jarred Gillett and it was a potential red card offence.

If Woltemade had brought it to the attention of the officials by falling to the turf, you can guarantee that it would have been reviewed thoroughly.

As it was, Gabriel stayed on the pitch and proceeded to score Arsenal’s winner from a corner deep into added time.

Woltemade has started his Newcastle career brightly

2 goals in 3 Premier League appearances is not a bad return, and it will be hoped that the 23-year-old can kick on from here.

At the moment, Woltemade’s attacking threat is restricted to crosses and set-pieces and it will be up to manager Eddie Howe to help him improve his all-round game.

In other news, Howe has confirmed when another Newcastle summer signing will return to fitness