Nick Woltemade calls out Gabriel Magalhães after late Arsenal win

Nick Woltemade refused to accept an apology from Gabriel Magalhães following a controversial incident during the Gunners’ dramatic 2-1 comeback victory at St James’ Park.

Nick Woltemade has criticised Gabriel Magalhães following their heated exchange during Arsenal’s dramatic 2-1 victory over Newcastle United on Sunday afternoon. The German striker accused the Arsenal defender of deliberately striking him in the face with his elbow and subsequently refused to shake hands when Gabriel attempted to apologise.

The incident occurred after Woltemade had given Newcastle the lead in the 34th minute with a powerful header from Sandro Tonali’s cross. Gabriel had initially claimed for a free-kick, believing he was pushed by Newcastle’s record signing, but VAR deemed the contact minimal and allowed the goal to stand.

Following the goal, tensions escalated when Gabriel appeared to catch Woltemade with his forearm during play. The 23-year-old striker immediately complained to referee Jarred Gillett about the incident, though no action was taken against the Brazilian defender.

“There was a situation, I felt his elbow in my face. I said to the referee that I felt something in my face and I think it’s not right – but I am not the type of player to fall down,” Woltemade explained after the match. “He said sorry after, so I think he knew he hit me in my face.”

When Gabriel offered his hand in reconciliation, Woltemade pointedly declined the gesture. “I don’t like this. If you do something in the game, and thirty seconds after you say ‘sorry’, that’s not part of the game. I don’t like this,” the Newcastle striker stated.

Woltemade, who joined Newcastle from VfB Stuttgart for £65million in August, has now scored two goals in his first three Premier League appearances. The striker had established himself as one of the Bundesliga’s most promising talents last season, netting 17 goals in 33 appearances for Stuttgart.

Arsenal’s comeback victory was secured through late headers from substitute Mikel Merino and Gabriel himself, who ironically became the match-winner in the 96th minute. The result moved Arsenal to within two points of Premier League leaders Liverpool, after a late Eddie Nketiah winner saw them lose to Crystal Palace on Saturday.

The Gunners will look to build on this momentum when they host Olympiacos in the Champions League on Wednesday, as they play their first home Champions League game of the season.