Arsenal secured a 2-1 victory over Newcastle on Sunday, a result that, despite the win, was overshadowed by a significant VAR controversy and broader discussions about modern football tactics.

The contentious incident occurred in the 15th minute when referee Jarred Gillett initially awarded Arsenal a penalty, judging that Viktor Gyökeres had been fouled in the area by Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope. However, following an intervention by the VAR, Darren England, the decision was overturned. This reversal sparked strong disagreement from Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, who argued that for VAR to intervene, it must be a "clear and obvious error," and the prolonged review indicated it was not. Arteta stated that VAR should not intervene if the error is not clear and obvious, especially when it took the referee so long to decide.

Premier League referees' chief Howard Webb, however, strongly backed the VAR's decision, classifying it as a "clear error" by the on-field referee. Webb explained on the Premier League's Match Officials Mic'd Up show that Gillett had failed to observe a crucial detail: Nick Pope had made a very clear touch on the ball before any collision with Gyökeres. This touch significantly deviated the ball's direction. Webb elaborated that Pope's subsequent action of planting his foot was normal, not reckless, and there was a clear gap between the players after the ball was played. The contact between Pope and Gyökeres occurred only after the ball had been cleanly played away, thus not constituting a foul. This oversight by the referee in real-time was deemed a clear and obvious error, justifying VAR's intervention to allow the referee to review the footage and make the correct call, ultimately canceling the penalty.

Beyond the VAR drama, the match itself highlighted another growing trend in football: the increasing reliance on structured set pieces. Interestingly, all three goals scored in the 2-1 encounter were the result of corner routines. This observation aligns with a broader sentiment among some fans that football has become a more choreographed and structured game, potentially losing some of the spontaneity and freedom for star players to express themselves in open play.

Conversely, many current professionals contend that the quality of players, tactical approaches, and coaching staff in modern football are at an all-time high. Both perspectives can coexist, suggesting that the game's evolution has led to a more strategic and organized approach, drawing parallels with sports like American football, where intricate tactical ideas and pre-planned routines are paramount. This shift indicates a move towards optimizing every phase of play, including set-piece opportunities, to gain a competitive edge in the Premier League.