Mikel Arteta said Arsenal were wrongly denied a “very clear penalty” after a late handball incident involving Nottingham Forest defender, Ola Aina, during their goalless draw at the City Ground.
The controversy came in the closing stages when Aina appeared to divert the ball with his arm near the byline as he attempted to keep it in play on Saturday.
Referee Michael Oliver waved away Arsenal’s appeals, and VAR, overseen by Darren England, reviewed the incident before deciding not to overturn the on-field call.
The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) later explained the decision by stating that the ball initially struck Aina’s shoulder and that his arm was in a natural position.
According to Sky Sports, reacting to PGMOL’s decision after the game, Arteta rejected that explanation, insisting the subsequent movement of Aina’s arm was decisive.
“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.
“They are right, it hits the shoulder. Then he takes the ball with his hand.
“The explanation is not right. The rest, the order [of what it hits], is OK. The timing and the intention of the player are very clear. If not, I wouldn’t be sitting here saying, in my opinion, it’s a very clear penalty,” said Arteta at his press conference.
For his part, Forest boss Sean Dyche branded the appeals for a penalty as “ridiculous” and said football should be “cancelled” if penalties are given for incidents like Aina’s.
“If these start getting given, we might as well leave it,” said Dyche.
“You never know, but I think that’s ridiculous. We have to be careful with these. You might as well cancel football if you give that one.”
There was also controversy at the other end when Jurrien Timber appeared to clip Callum Hudson-Odoi near the edge of the penalty area, with further contact as the Forest winger entered the box. Referee Oliver awarded a free-kick instead of a penalty, and VAR England upheld the decision.
“What about our one?” Dyche said. “It was right on the line of the box. They’re saying it’s outside, but he’s in full flight, going into the box. He’s going to get there.”