Mikel Arteta believes Arsenal rejected Ola Aina’s ‘clear penalty’ for handball at Nottingham Forest | Football news
Mikel Arteta believes his Arsenal side should have been given a “clear penalty” for Ola Aina’s handball incident in the goalless draw at Nottingham Forest – and that the PGMO’s explanation for why it was not awarded is “incorrect”.
Towards the end of the game, Aina was seen guiding the ball with her arm near the line as she tried to block the ball before blocking the corner.
Referee Michael Oliver did not give an on-field decision despite Gabriel Jesus’ protests – and England’s VAR Darren looked at the incident for a long time but said the ball “was played over Aina’s shoulder first”, and her arm was also “in a natural position”.
Arteta said TNT Sports After the match: “A clear penalty that we will never forget. That is a clear penalty in the box that was not awarded. These are the margins.
“I saw it live, I saw it here. I saw it again now. It’s not very necessary but he brings the ball in with his hand.”
Arteta disputed the PGMO’s interpretation that because the ball touched Aina’s shoulder first, it should not be a “wrong” penalty – appearing to say that the shoulder contact was irrelevant given the “intent” of the arm’s action.
“They are right, it hits the shoulder. Then he takes the ball in his hand,” said Arteta in a press conference.
“The explanation is wrong. Another, the order [of what it hits] well, the timing and purpose of the player is very clear. If not, I wouldn’t be sitting here saying that in my opinion, it’s a very clear penalty.”
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Highlights from the Premier League clash between Nottingham Forest and Arsenal.
Dyche: If you gave that as a penalty, you should cancel the ball
Forest boss Sean Dyche has called the calls for punishment “ridiculous” and says football should be “retired” if penalties are handed out for incidents like Aina’s.
If these are first given, we may leave them,” said Dyche.
“You never know, but I think that’s bad. We have to be careful with these guys. You can cancel the ball if you give it away.”
Arsenal were denied a “clear penalty” at Nottingham Forest according to Mikel Arteta
Dyche also expressed that Forest should have had a penalty of their own as Jurrien Timber fouled Callum Hudson-Odoi on the edge of the box.
Timber appeared to clip Hudson-Odoi near the line of the penalty area and there was contact between the two as the Forest player entered the box. Referee Oliver awarded a free-kick instead of a penalty and England’s VAR stuck to the call.
“What do you say about ours?” said Dyche. “It was in the box line. They sit outside but he is full of the plane, going into the box. He will get there.”
