Mikel Arteta made it abundantly clear that he strongly disagreed with the 2 penalty choices that went in opposition to his Arsenal aspect throughout a 1-0 Champions League loss to Inter on Wednesday.
The Gunners had weathered an early storm at San Siro, combating their manner right into a cagey contest. As half-time approached with the sport nonetheless goalless, Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino rose to fulfill a cross swung into the field. The European champion received his head to the ball earlier than Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer hurtled into view, touchdown a gloved fist on the aspect of Merino’s face.
The on-pitch referee waved away the incident, a call which VAR agreed with. A matter of minutes later, Merino fell on the improper aspect of the officers once more, inadvertently blocking the ball together with his raised arm whereas defending an Inter set piece. This time, the referee did level to the spot – a lot to Arteta‘s frustration.
Throughout the Premier League and Champions League, Arsenal have conceded first in 4 right away video games. 😬 pic.twitter.com/w9JxVr3pfM
— 90min (@90min_Football) November 6, 2024
“I do not perceive,” Arsenal’s troubled boss instructed the assembled press post-game. “It is only a deflection, there isn’t a hazard in any respect, you can’t react since you are very shut however OK, they resolve that may be a penalty.
“However then if that is a penalty then the one on Mikel Merino when he punches him within the head needs to be 1000% a penalty and these are the margins on this recreation and it’s extremely very troublesome to just accept.”
Hakan Calhanoglu ruthlessly dispatched the spot kick, which proved to be the one aim in a good recreation.
“There’s nothing sadly that we will do, we aren’t going to have the ability to change it so, sadly, we’ve got to just accept it and transfer on,” Arteta lamented. “We have been instructed at the beginning of the season that wasn’t a penalty, that was clear. In the present day was a special story.”
These controversial calls led to Arsenal’s second successive defeat after shedding 1-0 to Newcastle United final Saturday. The Gunners face a frightening journey to Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge within the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.
READ THE LATEST ARSENAL NEWS, TRANSFER RUMOURS & GOSSIP
