Arsenal failed to capitalize on Manchester City’s blunder as they were led by Nottingham Forest, but manager Mikel Arteta believes a penalty should have been awarded at Manchester City’s ground.
Arteta believed his team deserved a penalty against Forest (Image: Getty Images)
Steven Gerrard told Mikel Arteta he was “clinging at straws” after calling for a penalty in Arsenal’s draw with Nottingham Forest. The Premier League leaders were held to a goalless draw at the City Ground on Saturday, failing to capitalize on Manchester City’s defeat earlier in the day.
Arsenal thought they deserved a penalty in the Midlands following Ola Aina’s obvious handball. Gunners manager Arteta believes the call was “very clear”, although the referee and VAR disagreed.
Speaking after the draw, former Liverpool star Steven Gerrard suggested Arteta needed to focus on finishing his team rather than failing to win penalties.
“I think there was some screaming there. I don’t think it’s as clear as Mikel Arteta is saying. I don’t think it’s as blatant and clear, especially in real time from the referee’s point of view,” he said on TNT Sport.
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“I think we have to be careful not to clutch at straws in the slightest because that’s not the reason why they didn’t get the highest points today. It’s because they played very wastefully in the first half and the keeper made a world-class save.”
“I thought Arsenal’s performance today was good. They controlled most of the game and created enough chances to win the game. But if you only focus on that (handball) decision from Arsenal’s point of view, I think they’re grasping at straws.”
“As I say, they had a lot of control and Arsenal had a decent performance today, but they just lacked that killer instinct.
Steven Gerrard gives verdict on Arsenal’s handball cry against Forest (Image: Getty Images)
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“I think it was Martinelli’s chance, the chance that hit his heel, it was a side-footed pass into the far corner. Nine times out of 10, most players at Arsenal level should have taken that chance and that should have been the goal.”
“Then they might have been working more because Forest had to come out of the low blocks and be a little more adventurous.The game is 0-0 but Sean Dyche and his team can stay with Arsenal and take away the space.”
The north London outfit will suspend Premier League action in the middle of this week as they face Italian giants Inter Milan in the Champions League. They then welcome Manchester United to Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.
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