Mikel Arteta made it abundantly clear that he strongly disagreed with the 2 penalty choices that went towards his Arsenal facet throughout a 1-0 Champions League loss to Inter on Wednesday.
The Gunners had weathered an early storm at San Siro, preventing 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 acquired his head to the ball earlier than Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer hurtled into view, touchdown a gloved fist on the facet of Merino’s face.
The on-pitch referee waved away the incident, a choice which VAR agreed with. A matter of minutes later, Merino fell on the flawed facet of the officers once more, inadvertently blocking the ball along 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 immediately video games. 😬 pic.twitter.com/w9JxVr3pfM
— 90min (@90min_Football) November 6, 2024
“I do not perceive,” Arsenal’s troubled boss informed the assembled press post-game. “It is only a deflection, there isn’t any hazard in any respect, you can not react since you are very shut however OK, they determine 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 must be 1000% a penalty and these are the margins on this sport and it’s extremely very tough to simply accept.”
Hakan Calhanoglu ruthlessly dispatched the spot kick, which proved to be the one aim in a decent sport.
“There’s nothing sadly that we will do, we aren’t going to have the ability to change it so, sadly, we’ve to simply accept it and transfer on,” Arteta lamented. “We have been informed at first of the season that wasn’t a penalty, that was clear. At present 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.
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