Mikel Arteta has expressed his anger after Arsenal were denied what he described as a 'clear penalty' in the dying moments of their goalless draw at Nottingham Forest. The incident occurred with 10 minutes remaining when Nottingham Forest defender Ola Aina handled the ball while attempting to see it out for a goal kick.
VAR reviewed the incident but determined that Aina's movement was natural and that the ball had struck his shoulder first. Arteta, however, strongly disagreed with the decision. Speaking to TNT Sports after the match, he 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 manager 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.' Arteta confirmed referee Michael Oliver had not spoken to him about the decision.
Nottingham Forest boss Sean Dyche, however, argued that awarding a penalty for such an incident would be 'ridiculous'. He said: 'You may as well cancel football if you're going to give that. The rules have to be careful. You know what they should be looking at, people feigning injury. That's the new diving. I wouldn't worry about the handballs.'
Pundit Steven Gerrard, speaking on TNT, offered a balanced view, stating: 'It'll split opinion, this one. I think his body action is natural. I don't think it's a really clear and obvious mistake from the referee. I think it would have been a little unfair on Forest. If the focus is just on that penalty decision, then you're clutching at straws.'
