'Come on': Alan Shearer and Micah Richards completely disagree over controversial decision in Arsenal vs Spurs

09/16/2024 02:15 PM

It wouldn't quite be a North London derby between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal without a bit of controversy, a tie with so many famous moments over the years.

On this occasion, fans may feel as if the decisions went in Arsenal's favour, who took all three points again from N17.

The Tottenham players appeared to feel as if Jurrien Timber deserved to be sent off in the first half against Arsenal.

The Dutchman lifted his boot heading into a challenge with Pedro Porro, then proceeding to duel with Guglielmo Vicario.

Jarred Gillett decided it was just a yellow card offence – something VAR agreed with.

However, Spurs fans perhaps then felt aggrieved once again when Arsenal scored their winning goal.

Micah Richards thinks Gabriel did foul Cristian Romero before Arsenal goal

In the lead up to Gabriel Magalhaes' thumping header, the Arsenal defender pushed Cristian Romero out of his way – not necessarily with too much force, at least in the eyes of the ref.

And on 'The Rest Is Football' podcast, all of Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer and Micah Richards have now been debating that call.

READ MORE: Kai Havertz says what Tottenham do a lot after Arsenal beat them in North London derby

Lineker and Shearer were convinced there wasn't enough in it, however Richards shared a different view.

Lineker begun: "He's a warrior [Gabriel], he's a player you'd really want on your side, and he does chip in with the odd goal. Although, bit of a push, bit of a push?"

Shearer: "Come on, he's got to be stronger there, hasn't he? Goodness me, Romero wasn't he. He had a little appeal, didn't he."

Richards replied: "But it was probably, it was probably…55-45 I'm saying, in favour of a foul I would say. He just, I don't like fouls to be given for that, but he did push him, didn't he?"

Lineker: "Well he definitely pushed him, they were never going to turn that one over, though."

Tottenham denied Micky van de Ven strike in corresponding fixture

Former Premier League ref Dermot Gallagher shared his opinion on Gabriel's goal after the game as well – believing that the officials were right to award the header. 

Of course, Tottenham fans may still feel slightly aggrieved that Micky van de Ven was denied a goal in the same fixture last season in controversial circumstances.

Many felt as if the Dutchman's strike should have stood, only for it to then be ruled out due to a subjective offside call. 

But ultimately, it does feel as if it would have been incredibly harsh to deny Gabriel a goal on this occasion, even if antics in the box are being more scrutinised this season.

From a Spurs point of view, the mistake was down to Vicario and Romero's poor decision-making, with neither challenging for the ball sufficiently.