MIKEL ARTETA is convinced that Arsenal should have had a “clear penalty” during their frustrating 0-0 draw with Nottingham Forest.
The Gunners failed to capitalise on the chance to go nine points clear of title rivals Manchester City at the top of the Premier League with a lacklustre performance against Forest.
Arsenal were uninspiring in front of goal for the most part, but Arteta reckons they should have been given a golden chance to take the lead from 12 yards after the ball struck Ola Aina‘s arm in the box.
Aina appeared to hook the ball with his right arm while trying to keep it in play deep into the second half, but VAR decided the incident was perfectly legal – claiming the defender’s arm was in a “natural position”.
That didn’t stop Arteta from making his feelings on the matter crystal clear.
He told the BBC: “We created four big, big, big chances and a clear penalty, but we weren’t able to win the game.
“I’ve just seen the replays, I think it’s a clear intention to clear the ball inside and it’s a clear penalty so I don’t understand why it’s not been given.
Forest boss Sean Dyche had a polar opposite view of the controversy, telling TNT Sports: “You might as well cancel football, you might as well cancel football if you’re going to do that [give a penalty].”
Speaking exclusively to SunSport, ex-Premier League referee Mark Halsey said: “In the 79th minute of the game at the City Ground between Nottingham Forest and Arsenal, there was a potential handball by Ola Aina.
“Now the ball does strike his arm, but in my opinion, his arms are in a natural position for that phase of play.
In my opinion, Michael Oliver and VAR got the decision absolutely spot on. Not a penalty for me.”
Mark Halsey,
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“His arms are up, they’re coming down as the ball is coming down as well. Yes it does strike his arm, but not a deliberate act.
“So in my opinion, Michael Oliver and VAR got the decision absolutely spot on. Not a penalty for me.”
Mikel Arteta admitted that his team has to do more with their own opportunities too, rather than having to rely on decisions going their way.
He added: “We could’ve been better, but as well, this is happening all around the league for every single team. We have to improve and be better, especially when we create four big chances, you have to put them away.
“You have to produce that moment. We’ve created certain moments, but credit to them as well because they are very well-organised and they disrupt your momentum in clever ways as well all the time. We knew that.
“We tried to at the end find a goal. I don’t think we conceded a single shot, again. But that’s the margins and we didn’t find a way to win it.”
Gabriel Martinelli, who netted an FA Cup hat-trick last weekend, went from hero to zero when he squandered an open goal in the first half.
Arsenal still managed to extend their lead at the top of the tree to seven points following City’s Manchester Derby defeat, but could see it cut down to just four if Aston Villa beat Everton tomorrow.
