Arsenal might have stretched their lead on the prime of Premier League to seven factors on Saturday, however the goalless draw at Nottingham Forest could have left many Gunners followers reflecting on one other missed alternative.
provided Arsenal the prospect to maneuver 9 factors clear on the prime of the desk, however Mikel Arteta’s facet have been left annoyed for the second league match working.
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Having drawn 0-0 in opposition to Liverpool final week, it’s the first time Arsenal have had consecutive stalemates within the prime flight for 14 years – for the reason that opening two video games of the 2012-13 season in opposition to Sunderland and Stoke Metropolis.
Whereas Arteta pointed to his facet creating “4 huge possibilities” with out dealing with a single shot on the right track from Forest, winger Noni Madueke admitted it felt like “a missed alternative”.
Arteta’s greatest frustration was not being awarded a second-half penalty for a handball by Forest defender Ola Aina.
The Arsenal boss stated: “I’ve simply seen the replays – I feel it is a clear intention to clear the ball inside and it is a clear penalty, so I do not perceive why it isn’t been given.”
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‘A transparent penalty’ or a ‘ridiculous’ declare?
Was Ola Aina lucky to not be penalised for handball? [Getty Images]
The Aina handball incident occurred with about 10 minutes of the match remaining.
The Forest right-back tried to regulate a bouncing ball in his personal penalty space whereas being challenged by Gabriel Jesus and bumped by his personal team-mate Elliot Anderson.
The ball hit Aina’s shoulder earlier than putting his arm because the defender tried to show, prompting Arteta and Arsenal to vehemently attraction for a spot-kick – to no avail.
The Premier League Match Centre on X stated: “The referee’s name of no penalty to Arsenal was checked and confirmed by VAR – with it deemed that the ball was performed off Aina’s shoulder first, whereas his arm was additionally in a pure place.”
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Whereas Arteta was adamant his facet had been denied a “clear penalty”, Forest boss Sean Dyche, unsurprisingly, didn’t agree.
“I feel if these begin to get given we have all bought to depart it. I feel that is ridiculous. We have got to watch out with these,” Dyche stated.
“You could as properly cancel soccer if you are going to give that [as handball]. The foundations must watch out. You understand what they need to be ? Individuals feigning damage. That is the brand new diving.”
Retired Premier League assistant referee Darren Cann informed BBC Sport he thought the officers had come to the right resolution, saying: “The arm is near the physique and is in a justifiable place.”
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The choice cut up the watching pundits, with ex-Chelsea winger Pat Nevin telling BBC Radio 5 Stay he thought Aina’s arm “moved in the direction of the ball”, however former Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard insisting it might have been “tender” to award a spot-kick for the incident.
‘Most unlikely to be seen as an error’ – evaluation
Final season solely 9 penalties have been awarded for handball within the Premier League. That was an enormous outlier in comparison with different European leagues, with 34 awarded in Serie A and 37 in Ligue 1.
There was a correction this time period, however the English prime flight nonetheless has the bottom variety of handball spot-kicks within the prime 5 leagues – 15 at one each 15.13 video games.
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Six have been given through the video assistant referee (VAR) within the Premier League. On every event the arm was properly away from the physique or there was a transparent and deliberate motion to the ball.
And it’s deliberate handball which will be Arsenal’s solely declare for a penalty in opposition to Forest defender Aina.
The ball got here off Aina’s shoulder and his arm was in a justifiable place for his motion. You can’t say the ball simply hitting it may very well be a handball offence.
The referee Michael Oliver had no probability of seeing it because it occurred behind our bodies on the goalline. Meaning the VAR Darren England was the only real arbiter of whether or not not giving a penalty may very well be seen as a critical missed incident.
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Anderson’s function is essential. May you say Aina has made a aware deliberate motion to deal with the ball? Or was it a consequence of his team-mate bumping into him?
There are arguments on either side, after all. However the identical consideration is given to a defender if they’ve been challenged by an attacker. It will make no sense if it didn’t apply to a team-mate too.
Contemplating Anderson collided with Aina earlier than his arm moved to the ball it’s a affordable to assume the following motion was a results of this fairly than a deliberate act.
The VAR failing to intervene could be very unlikely to be seen as an error.
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‘To be champions, it’s important to do one thing particular’
The Gunners are seven factors away from each Manchester Metropolis and Aston Villa earlier than Unai Emery’s facet host Everton on Sunday – however Arteta’s facet should do extra to clinch a primary title in twenty years, in line with former Arsenal defender Martin Keown.
“You must discover that additional from someplace, that inspirational second. If you wish to be champions it’s important to do one thing particular,” Keown informed Sky Sports activities.
“If Arsenal have been extra scientific in entrance of purpose, there are three factors there… That is the place they’ll look to enhance, as a result of they’re creating the alternatives, that is not doubtful.”
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Arsenal’s lack of a daily goalscorer has been questioned in latest weeks, with joint-top scorers Viktor Gyokeres and Leandro Trossard having solely netted 5 instances every within the league.
“We might’ve been higher, however that is occurring throughout the league for each single staff,” stated Arteta.
“We have now to enhance and be higher, particularly after we create 4 huge possibilities – it’s important to put them away.”