Mikel Arteta believes that the referee used 'common sense' in not awarding a penalty for the controversial Gabriel handball incident in Tuesday's Champions League clash against Bayern Munich.
In the second half of the quarter-final first leg tie, David Raya had played a goal-kick to Gabriel who then handled the ball, seemingly unaware that it was in play.
Referee Glenn Nyberg let the match continue while furious Bayern players complained.
Bayern manager Thomas Tuchel later accused Nyberg of admitting to letting the incident slide because it was a 'kid's mistake'.
Ahead of Sunday's Premier League match against Aston Villa, Arteta said: 'Yes, I did notice it, especially after when there was a certain reaction from them (Bayern players).
'I think the referees used the law. The law says to use common sense and whether you take an advantage from that situation, which there isn't an advantage.'
The league leaders have a fully fit squad - bar Jurrien Timber, who is set to feature in a behind-closed-doors match soon - and have turned to rotating their players in recent weeks.
It's a further sign of how every squad member will be important for the title run-in, yet Arteta warned that he does not want sulking players on the bench.
He said: 'I want players that are very happy to come on the field to make an impact. Unhappy players on the bench, I don't want.
'I want players that if they are unhappy, to come and talk to me and understand why and try to explain, but these situations are always the same. They have to have the will to play. They can be unhappy but on matchday, it is not the day to be unhappy.
'They can be angry at me, that's fine, but they have to make it professional not personal. It's my role to make those decisions. It's not the person I am putting on the bench, it is the player.'
On whether he is happy that semi-automated offside technology will be introduced to the league next season, Arteta added: 'Yes, if it's unanimous that means it's going to be better. It's going to be faster and more efficient.
'Hopefully it's going to be better for us.'
Maucdikmos
0
Same old comments sour grapes comes to mind
Jitacdksu
1
How about Odegard's against Liverpool ? Arteta can not win anything with Arsenal
he already did
hoyaclmpr
0
Arsenal forward ever backward never
Todeimrsty
1
Arteta you must be serious with those two players G Jesus and trousand. If Not Yu will win nothing maker my words
Mikel-ARTETA
0
Gabriel magalheas is full of shit... he's mistake prone
Niucikmpru
0
Most of Arsenal players are divers. Good actors. Can give away OSCAR awards
Niucikmpru
0
How about Odegard's against Liverpool ? Arteta can not win anything with Arsenal
MACH100
0
..... while Saka had no common sense for that silly dive
Gannymalta
0
But that must stop! Gabriel has been doing this misdemeanor for too long. let him use his legs if he wants to still feed on this tactic!
Bennoprsyz
1
I hope you are ready for 'common sense' in the second leg
PeepsClips
1
the earlier arsenal and their cohorts understand that the saka penalty was not given in atonement for the gabriel penalty not given, the better. arteta & co are here talking about common sense.
Hubacdktuz
0
Tell Raya and Gabriel to stop this nonsense. What kind of talking goal kick is that ? Rubbish. 😡😡😡😡
SimpleSoccerFan
1
Had that been the other way around, Arteta would be talking his wits off, crying in the media etc. It's a kids mistake on a professional stage but should have been punished regardless of how soft it would have been. Sometimes you learn the hard way in life.
Vapdikrsz
0
G Jesus is one of the unhappy players always in d bench. I think d coach shld talk to him and let him understand why he's eating his play
jhkr
0
Bt if it was against him u would see here hw they could shout at us
Changkistovic1
0
a poor person like claiming to know a rich person like Arteta, you are the liar here not Arteta
Here you go, you're now lost on the topic. Being rich and materialistic doesn't mean even abusing power. That's why there's a difference between knowledge and wealth. Someone can be wealthy and stupid and that's why there is corruption in the World. People like you are examples of myopic idiots.
Mukhtari
0
Which law is Arteta talking about??? In his entire life, he doesn't want to be a sincere person for once. cantankerous mnk.
a poor person like claiming to know a rich person like Arteta, you are the liar here not Arteta
Koubcelpuz
1
If it's would have been against Bayern it's would have been definitely a penalty but that's the game Arteta is trying to say it's a home advantage that's the common sense
jawbdpuyz
0
hey Arsenal fans that was uefa champions league not premier league which is full of corruption
howbclmnrs
0
there's a certain clause inside the contract that manager, player, and staff others MUST say supporting things to their club that pay them no matter how obvious the fault is. So despite Arteta know it was a penalty, he can't say it.
Changkistovic1
0
Which law is Arteta talking about??? In his entire life, he doesn't want to be a sincere person for once. cantankerous mnk.
Jadbdetuz
0
Imagine, we are scoring goals through the run of play and all Bayern want is penalties.....this is crazy. Look at our clear penalty that was denied.
Saka raises his leg to get a penalty. Shame on him . Young player and already trying to be fake . As a matter of time, he will be called a diver.
Jadbdetuz
2
Don't talk nonsense. Just admit the referee didn't give a penalty for the handball. So will a goalkeeper come out and touch the ball with his hand be a school boy mistakes.He will definitely give a red card.
Wibbcemnsu
3
If it was against him, he definitely would say otherwise.
malablata
2
Imagine, we are scoring goals through the run of play and all Bayern want is penalties.....this is crazy. Look at our clear penalty that was denied.