Arteta claims Arsenal denied 'clear penalty' for Aina handball in draw at Forest

  /  autty

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 as to why it wasn't given is "not right".

Late on in the game, Aina appeared to steer the ball with his arm near the byline as he tried to keep the ball in before conceding a corner.

Referee Michael Oliver did not give the decision on-field despite protests from Gabriel Jesus - while VAR Darren England took a long look at the incident but said the ball was "played off Aina's shoulder first", while his arm was also in a "natural position".

Arteta told TNT Sports after the game: "The clear penalty that we cannot forget. That is a clear penalty in the box that's not been given. Those are the margins.

"I saw it live, I saw it here. I saw it now again. It's very unnecessary but he brings the ball in with his hand."

Arteta disputed the PGMO's explanation that because the ball touched Aina's shoulder first, it should not be a penalty is "not right" - appearing to claim that the shoulder touch is irrelevant given the "intention" of the arm action.

"They are right, it hits the shoulder. Then he takes the ball with his hand," said Arteta in his press conference.

"The explanation is not right. The rest, the order [of what it hits] is ok, the timing and the intention of the player is very clear. If not, I wouldn't be sitting here saying in my opinion, it's a very clear penalty."

Related: Arsenal Nottingham Forest Arteta
Latest comments
Download All Football for more comments