Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has expressed his dissatisfaction with the penalty decisions made during a recent match. Arteta highlighted two specific incidents, questioning the consistency of the referee’s calls.
Controversial Penalty Calls
Arteta pointed out that a penalty awarded against Mikel Merino was unjustified in his view. He argued that if such a decision was deemed a penalty, then an incident involving Arsenal’s Mikel, where goalkeeper Yann Sommer allegedly struck him in the head, should have also resulted in a penalty. Arteta emphasised the fine margins in football, stating, “These are the margins in this game and it’s very difficult to accept.”
Recent Context
This statement follows Arteta’s recent criticism of penalty decisions in a match, as reported on 6 November 2024. Despite these challenges, Arteta has maintained confidence in Arsenal’s ability to perform well, including in upcoming fixtures such as their match against Chelsea.
Arteta’s comments come amid a period of change at Arsenal, with the recent departure of Edu, the club’s technical director. Arteta has assured fans of continuity within the team. Additionally, he has dismissed the need for new signings like Alexander Isak, focusing instead on the current squad’s capabilities.