Mikel Arteta’s Frustration with Penalty Decision
Mikel Arteta, Arsenal’s head coach, is furious about the penalty decision in their 1-1 draw against Everton at Goodison Park. He believes the foul by Myles Lewis-Skelly on Jack Harrison wasn’t a penalty, stating, “I’ve seen it 15 times. There’s no way, in my opinion, that’s a penalty. There’s no question that apart from that, they had nothing”.
Arteta’s Concerns
- Penalty Decision: Arteta argues the contact was minimal and started outside the box, making it an incorrect call. He feels the penalty decision changed the game’s momentum and outcome.
- Comparison to Other Incidents: Arteta mentions a similar incident involving Jake O’Brien and Ben White, suggesting inconsistent refereeing. He questions why one incident is deemed a penalty while another is not.
- Game Momentum: Arteta believes the penalty decision altered the course of the game. He thinks his team was gaining momentum before the incident.
Match Analysis
- Arsenal’s Performance: Arteta expressed disappointment with his team’s performance, especially in the second half. He feels they didn’t create enough scoring opportunities.
- Injuries: He confirmed no new injuries, a positive note ahead of their Champions League quarterfinal against Real Madrid. This provides some relief for the team.
- Title Hopes: With 11 draws, Arteta acknowledges Arsenal’s title hopes are slim. They trail leaders Liverpool by 11 points, making it a challenging task to catch up.
Reactions from Others
- Everton’s David Moyes: Refused to comment on the penalty decision, focusing on his team’s improved performance in the second half. He highlighted his team’s defensive solidity.
- Pundits’ Opinions: Michael Dawson and Mike Dean described the penalty as “soft,” with Dawson saying, “There’s hardly a touch”. They question the referee’s decision-making.
- Fan Reactions: Arsenal fans are also frustrated with the penalty decision. Many believe it was an incorrect call and that their team was robbed of a potential win.
The Impact of the Penalty Decision
- Game-Changing Moment: The penalty decision was a turning point in the game. It gave Everton a lifeline and changed the momentum of the match.
- Arsenal’s Frustration: Arteta’s frustration with the penalty decision is palpable. He feels his team was unfairly treated and that the decision cost them the win.
- Referee’s Decision-Making: The incident raises questions about the referee’s decision-making. Was the penalty decision correct, or was it an error?
The Road Ahead
- Champions League Quarterfinal: Arsenal’s next challenge is the Champions League quarterfinal against Real Madrid. They will need to be at their best to progress.
- Title Hopes: While their title hopes are slim, Arsenal will still aim to finish as high as possible in the league. They will need to win their remaining games and hope for Liverpool to slip up.
- Improving Performance: Arteta will be looking for his team to improve their performance in the second half of the season. They will need to be more clinical in their finishing and create more scoring opportunities.
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