'Embarrassing!' - Les Ferdinand blasts Arsenal star after win over Newcastle

Les Ferdinand discussing Newcastle United vs Arsenal (Picture: Sky Sports)

Les Ferdinand says Arsenal defender Gabriel ‘will be embarrassed’ by the role he played in Newcastle United ’s opening goal at St James’ Park on Sunday.

The Gunners were pushing for an opener in the first half against Newcastle when the hosts broke the deadlock against the run of play .

Club-record signing Nick Woltemade headed home Sandro Tonali’s inviting cross on 34 minutes to give Newcastle a half-time lead.

Arsenal complained to referee Jarred Gillett over a slight push from Woltemade which left Gabriel on the floor but their appeals were quickly dismissed and VAR did not intervene.

Gabriel led Arsenal’s protests but ex-England striker Ferdinand said the Brazilian centre-back would be ’embarrassed’ when he watched the incident back.

‘When I first looked at it I saw Gabriel go down and I thought, “oh no he’s put two hands on his back”,’ the former Newcastle, Tottenham and QPR star said on Sky Sports .

‘But then when I looked at again, when Gabriel sees this, he will be embarrassed. He’ll be embarrassed when he sees that.

Nick Woltemade heads home for Newcastle United (Picture: Getty)

‘I think it looked like there had been a push because all the players started appealing for it, but then when you see it again you think, “how did he go down for that?”‘

On Woltemade’s goal – his second since a £69m summer move from Stuttgart – Ferdinand added: ‘It’s his second goal here, two headers which is one of things he’s not really noted for.

‘When you look at his size you expect him to head the ball a bit more but it’s not one of the things he’s known for but he took that one really, really well.’

"It's a big, big goal for a big, big man!" Nick Woltemade puts Newcastle ahead against Arsenal ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/NNtnpJ0qm8 — Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 28, 2025

Former Chelsea winger Pat Nevin was also critical of Gabriel, telling BBC Radio 5 Live: ‘He needs to be stronger.

‘The fact he went down indicates to me that he knew he was beaten or knew he had been done, so he threw himself down. He didn’t get it and I am with the referee in that one.’

Gary Neville, meanwhile, agreed with VAR’s decision not to intervene despite Arsenal’s protests.

Mikel Merino equalised for Arsenal (Picture: Getty)

‘It’s a big, big goal from a big, big man,’ he said on Sky Sports commentary. ‘Arsenal are complaining about a push. David Raya went crazy!

‘It’s two hands from Woltemade on the back of Gabriel. It’s a little touch. Not enough in it. VAR say minimal contact – and I agree with them.

‘A really clear line from VAR, saying: “A little touch in the back does not make Gabriel go down like he does”. I think they got that one right.’

Gabriel scored an injury-time winner for Arsenal (Picture: Getty)

Woltemade’s goal came shortly after VAR overturned an Arsenal penalty which was given for a Nick Pope foul on Viktor Gyokeres.

‘After review, the Newcastle goalkeeper plays the ball and there is no foul,’ referee Gillett announced following a VAR recommendation.

Ferdinand backed the VAR’s decision, saying: ‘Nick Pope does get a touch. My understanding is once the goalkeeper gets a touch and deviates the ball, it’s not a penalty.’

But Jamie Redknapp was ‘amazed’ that the penalty was overturned, adding: ‘He gets a touch but I’m not sure it’s enough to negate the foul.

‘I’m amazed that got overturned. He definitely clears him out.’

It looked as though Woltemade’s header would be enough to earn Newcastle victory over Arsenal but Mikel Merino equalised on 84 minutes with a glancing header.

Gabriel then followed suit deep into injury-time from a Martin Odegaard corner to spark bedlam in the away end at St James’ Park.

Arsenal’s thrilling 2-1 win leaves Mikel Arteta’s side second in the Premier League – two points behind defending champions Liverpool – while Newcastle United are 15th after six games.