Forget VAR controversy Arsenal, time to play football

The VAR decisions that plagued Arsenal’s loss to Newcastle still linger, but now is the time to put it on the back burner and play football.

Here we sit, a couple of days removed from Arsenal’s 1-0 loss to Newcastle United, and the several VAR decisions that didn’t go the Gunners’ way continue to dominate the headlines.

Of course, both teams could feel aggrieved with certain decisions that weren’t given, but that’s football.

The club issued a statement after Mikel Arteta’s angry rant post-game, and that should be the end of it.

But with the decisions and non-decisions still making their way around the media landscape, there is now a small matter of Arsenal’s Champions League clash against Sevilla midweek.

What is important is that the Gunners do not let the anger and frustrations seep into the game against Sevilla. With their Champions League group delicately placed as Arsenal sit one point clear at the top of Group B.

But in the next two games, the Gunners face Sevilla and then Lens at home, and there is a real chance to solidify their standing at the top of the group.

Qualifying top has its own perks, and if the Gunners are to do that, they can’t allow themselves to get distracted by what happened at St. James’ Park.

Take care of business at home and qualify for the knockout rounds with games to spare, as the last thing that Arteta and Arsenal would want is to go away to PSV on the final matchday, needing a result to qualify.

Get it done early, and that starts with an improved performance against Sevilla, the team Arsenal already beat in the competition this season 2-1 thanks to goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus.

But this VAR controversy still looms large, and the last thing fans want is for the team to be mentally drained in a Champions League game with a lot riding on it.

The Gunners have a chance to solidify its position at the top of Group B – don’t let the Newcastle debacle linger more than it needs to.