Steven Gerrard has told Mikel Arteta to 'be careful' after the Arsenal boss claimed his side were denied a clear penalty in their goalless draw at Nottingham Forest. The Premier League leaders were held at the City Ground on Saturday, missing the chance to extend their lead after Manchester City had lost earlier in the day.
Arsenal felt they should have been awarded a spot-kick when the ball appeared to strike Ola Aina's hand in the area. Arteta described the decision as 'very clear', but neither the referee nor VAR agreed, much to the Spaniard's frustration.
Speaking on TNT Sport, Gerrard acknowledged there was a shout for a penalty but insisted it was not as obvious as Arteta suggested. 'I think there's a shout there, I don't think it's as clear as Mikel Arteta is saying, I don't think it's blatant and clear, especially in real time from the referee's point of view,' he said.
The former Liverpool midfielder argued that Arsenal's failure to take their chances was the real reason they dropped points. 'I think you've got to be careful that you're not clutching at straws a little bit because that's not the reason why they haven't got maximum points today. The reason is because they were very wasteful in the first half and the keeper has made a world-class save,' Gerrard added.
He singled out Gabriel Martinelli's first-half opportunity as a pivotal moment, saying the winger should have converted a sidefoot pass into the far corner. 'I think nine times out of 10, most players at an Arsenal level, should be taking that chance, that should've been a goal,' he said.
Arsenal now turn their attention to a Champions League trip to Inter Milan on Wednesday, before visiting Manchester United at Old Trafford next Sunday.
