Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta felt his side were denied a 'very clear' penalty as they were held to a goalless draw by Nottingham Forest, missing the chance to go nine points clear at the top of the Premier League.
The Gunners saw rivals Manchester City lose to Manchester United earlier in the day, but failed to capitalise. In the second half, Arsenal appealed for a handball against Forest defender Ola Aina, but VAR ruled the ball first hit his shoulder and his arm was in a natural position.
'It hits the shoulder and then he takes the ball with the hand,' Arteta said. 'The explanation is not right. The order is OK, but the timing and the intention is very clear. In my opinion, it's a very clear penalty.'
The draw extends Arsenal's lead at the top to seven points, though that could be cut to four if Aston Villa beat Everton on Sunday. Arteta admitted his side missed big chances, including Gabriel Martinelli missing an open goal and Declan Rice failing to convert a tap-in.
Nottingham Forest boss Sean Dyche defended the decision, saying: 'I don't think you can give penalties for things like that. I don't like half of the penalties that are given for handball nowadays.' Forest were resolute and earned a point to boost their survival chances.
Arteta added: 'We created four massive chances and on top of that there is a very clear penalty that has not been given. Without conceding a single shot on target, to find that we haven't won the game is disappointing.'
