'Not the type of player' - Newcastle star reacts to Gabriel’s attempted elbow to his face

The Magpies suffered a 2-1 crushing late defeat at St. James' Park at the hands of the Gunners on Sunday evening.

The striker opened the scoring for the host with a towering header in the first half after a little push at the back of Gabriel.

However, in the second half, Mikel Merino and Gabriel scored late to complete an incredible comeback.

The German striker stayed on his feet despite the force of the challenge from Gabriel, who escaped punishment. 

Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Woltemade made it clear he believes such actions have no place in the game.

"After the goal, there was a situation where I felt his elbow in my face from two metres away, so his arm had to be really high," he said. 

"I just told the referee that I felt something in my face, and I think it's not right to feel something in the face, but I'm not the type of player to fall down for this. It's hard because sometimes maybe you have to do this, but this is not my type of football."

Following the apparent elbow, Woltemade confronted Gabriel, and the two squared off before referee Jarred Gillett intervened to calm the situation. 

After a brief chat, Gabriel apologised and offered a handshake, but Woltemade refused and walked away.

"He said sorry after, so I think he knew he hit me in my face," Woltemade continued. "I didn't solve the situation, to be honest. 

“I don't like this. If you do some things in-game and then a few seconds later you say sorry, that's not part of the game. I like a good battle, but it always has to be fair. His elbow should not be in my face."