Mikel Arteta has expressed his displeasure after Arsenal were denied a late penalty in their goalless draw at Nottingham Forest. The incident occurred with ten minutes remaining when Ola Aina handled the ball, but VAR decided against awarding a spot-kick, judging the contact to be on the shoulder and the movement natural.
Speaking to TNT Sports after the match, Arteta said: 'I saw it live, I saw it here and I saw it now again. It's very unnecessary, but he brings the ball in with the hand, so it's a clear penalty.' The Arsenal boss also told BBC Radio 5 Live: 'There is a clear penalty that has not been given. No, it is true he plays it with his shoulder, but then he brings the arm in to keep the ball inside the pitch, so it is a clear penalty.'
Forest manager Sean Dyche disagreed strongly, suggesting that awarding such penalties would be absurd. 'I think if these start to get given we've all got to leave it. I think that's ridiculous. You may as well cancel football if you're going to give that,' Dyche argued.
Pundit Steven Gerrard offered a balanced view, saying the decision would 'split opinion' but that he felt the body movement was natural and it would have been 'unfair on Forest' to concede a penalty.
Arteta confirmed that referee Michael Oliver had not spoken to him about the incident, shaking his head when asked.
