admin“Their explanation isn’t right “- Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta believe Arsenal where denied a clear penalt
Arsenal extended their advantage at the top of the Premier League to seven points on Saturday, but a frustrating goalless draw away to Nottingham Forest left many supporters feeling it was another chance squandered.
Manchester City’s 2-0 defeat at Old Trafford had handed Mikel Arteta’s side the opportunity to open up a commanding nine-point lead, yet Arsenal were unable to capitalise, enduring a second consecutive league stalemate.
Following last week’s 0-0 draw with Liverpool, it marks the first time in 14 years that Arsenal have failed to score in back-to-back top-flight matches, a run last seen at the start of the 2012-13 season against Sunderland and Stoke City.
Despite Arteta highlighting that his team created “four big chances” and did not allow Forest a single shot on target, winger Noni Madueke admitted the result felt like “a missed opportunity”.
Arteta’s primary grievance centred on a second-half incident in which he felt Arsenal should have been awarded a penalty for handball against Forest defender Ola Aina.
“I’ve watched the replay and for me it’s a clear attempt to clear the ball inside the box,” Arteta said. “It’s a clear penalty, so I don’t understand why it wasn’t given.”
The controversial moment came with around 10 minutes remaining. Aina attempted to deal with a bouncing ball in his own area while under pressure from Gabriel Jesus and after being nudged by team-mate Elliot Anderson. The ball struck Aina’s shoulder before making contact with his arm as he turned, prompting furious appeals from Arsenal that were waved away.
The Premier League Match Centre later confirmed on X that the on-field decision had been reviewed and upheld by VAR, stating the ball had first come off Aina’s shoulder and that his arm was in a natural position.
While Arteta remained adamant his side were denied a “clear penalty”, Forest manager Sean Dyche strongly disagreed.
“If those are given, we might as well stop playing,” Dyche said. “That’s ridiculous. We have to be careful with these decisions. The rules need protecting. What officials should really be looking at is players feigning injury – that’s the new diving.”
Former Premier League assistant referee Darren Cann backed the officials’ call, telling BBC Sport that Aina’s arm was “close to the body and in a justifiable position”.
The incident divided pundits, with Pat Nevin suggesting on BBC Radio 5 Live that Aina’s arm “moved towards the ball”, while Steven Gerrard argued it would have been “soft” to award a penalty.
Statistics underline how rarely such decisions are given. Only nine handball penalties were awarded in the Premier League last season, a stark contrast to Serie A and Ligue 1, which saw 34 and 37 respectively. Although there has been an increase this season, England’s top flight still has the fewest handball spot-kicks among Europe’s top five leagues, with 15 awarded so far – one every 15.13 games.
Six of those penalties were awarded following VAR intervention, all involving arms positioned well away from the body or clear, deliberate movements towards the ball.
For Arsenal to have a case, deliberate handball would need to be proven. In this instance, the ball deflected from Aina’s shoulder and his arm position was consistent with natural movement. Michael Oliver had no clear view due to bodies on the goal line, leaving VAR official Darren England to decide whether the incident constituted a clear error.
Anderson’s collision with Aina is a key factor. The question is whether Aina intentionally moved his arm towards the ball or whether the movement resulted from being bumped by his team-mate. Given the contact occurred before the arm moved, it is reasonable to conclude the action was accidental rather than deliberate, making VAR intervention unlikely.
Despite the frustration, Arsenal remain seven points clear of Manchester City and Aston Villa ahead of Villa’s clash with Everton. However, former Gunners defender Martin Keown believes more is required if Arsenal are to secure their first league title in 20 years.
“To be champions, you have to produce something special,” Keown told TNT Sports. “That inspirational moment. If Arsenal are more clinical, they win this game. The chances are there – that’s not in doubt.”
Concerns persist over Arsenal’s lack of a consistent goalscorer, with joint-top scorers Viktor Gyokeres and Leandro Trossard managing just five league goals each.
“We could have been better,” Arteta admitted. “But this is happening across the league. Still, when you create four big chances, you have to finish them. That’s where we need to improve.”
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