Oojays_gramPremier league fans have failed to sympathise with Nick Woltemade after the Newcastle United striker vented his frustrations with a lack of action taken against Gabriel Magalhaes in Arsenal‘s astonishing 2-1 comeback victory at St James’ Park.
Woltemade had given the Magpies the lead in the 34th minute with a superb header until Mikel Arteta’s men staged a late turnaround through Mikel Merino in the 84th minute and Gabriel’s 90+6th-minute winner. It was a thrilling contest between the two sides, and tensions boiled over on several occasions.
One incident that went unnoticed by referee Jarred Gillett and VAR occurred in the 40th minute, involving Woltemade and Gabriel. The German forward raced towards the Gunners’ defence but was stopped in his tracks by what appeared to be a strike to the face from the Brazilian centre-back.
Woltemade: I’m Not The Type To Go Down For This
Woltemade has made a promising start to life at Newcastle as Alexander Isak‘s replacement and he took his tally for the season to two goals in three Premier League games. But if ever there was evidence of towering centre-forwards needing to learn the dark arts of English top-flight football, it was his reaction to his duel with Gabriel.
The 23-year-old spoke about the incident with Sky Sports after the defeat and suggested he’s not the type of character to go down for this type of altercation: “I felt his elbow in my face, his arm has to be really high. I don’t want to fall down, but I don’t know, I just said to the referee, I felt something in my face, and I don’t think it’s right to feel something in your face.”
While Woltemade can be commended for choosing not to go down, one or two of his teammates may have a word with him about similar situations in the future. Had he drawn more attention to Gabriel seemingly throwing a fist in his face, his side may have had a one-man advantage and not suffered a devastating defeat at the hands of the very suspect in the case.
Woltemade added: “I’m not the type of player who will fall down for this. It’s hard because sometimes I guess you have to do this, but this is not my type of football.”
This is just one of several controversial incidents that the Germany international can expect to experience in the Premier League. The likes of Bruno Guimaraes or Joelinton would likely have made more of the altercation, especially in such a high-profile game as a meeting with Arsenal.
“He Plays For Newcastle” – Fans on Woltemade’s Comments
Newcastle are one of the most difficult sides to play against because they are a well-rounded unit whose grit poses significant problems for some of the very best teams. They have also been accused of using “dark arts” by several opposing players and managers.
Eddie Howe was forced to hit back at Thomas Frank last season after the former Brentford boss suggested the Tyneside outfit have a “strategy where Jason Tindall speaks to the fourth official through the game.” Arteta has similarly warned his players in the past about expecting “time wasting”.
Some fans appear to feel that Woltemade’s complaints should fall on deaf ears because of his side’s track record of using equally underhanded tactics.
One fan posted a picture of Gyokeres getting struck in the face by Jamaal Lascelles: “I’d be eager to hear his comments about this challenge…”
One replied to the snap:
“But this is fine ok.”
Another pointed out the likes of Guimaraes who threw an elbow at Jorginho in the same fixture last season:
“Does he know he plays for Newcastle and they employ the likes of Joelinton and Bruno Guimaraes? And did he see Lascelles try to rip Gyokeres’s face off.”
One stated:
“The double standard when it comes to Arsenal is unreal.”
Another supported called out the hypocrisy:
“It’s alright when Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton do this week in week out.”
One posted a snap of last season’s battle between Guimaraes and Jorginho:
“Hypocrites fc”
The tense affair between the two sides ended with Arsenal claiming a rare win at St James’ to move to within two points of leaders Liverpool after six games. It was yet another frustrating result for Howe, whose side sit 15th in the league with just one win in six.
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