Arsenal were awarded a controversial late penalty against Bayer Leverkusen, but former goalkeeper Martin Keown has quelled criticism that the referee was too adamant about his decision.
(Image: Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Manager Simon Jordan is adamant there was no doubt Arsenal would win a penalty against Bayer Leverkusen and accused Martin Keown of being a “big writer of bias”.
The Premier League leaders salvaged a draw in the first leg of their Champions League clash. Kai Havertz scored in the 89th minute, but the decision to take the spot kick was highly divisive.
Noni Madueke came off the bench and dropped into the box, but contact appeared to be minimal. The winger took another step before collapsing and Leverkusen players protested to the referee, but VAR confirmed his decision.
Keown, who played 422 games for the Gunners, had no doubt he had made the right decision. “For me, that was a penalty. I had to look at it from a different angle initially, but for me that left foot definitely got caught in (Tillman’s) torso, there’s no doubt about that,” he told TNT Sports.
Jordan was quick to criticize the former Arsenal man on social media, saying: “Oh, dear Martin players. I said old man Keown lacked objectivity. On the flip side, he’s the great wizard of prejudice.”
read more: Mikel Arteta’s concerns over Bukayo Saka draw attention to Arsenal star vs. Bayer Leverkusenread more: Kai Havertz says ‘sorry’ to Bayer Leverkusen amid furious backlash over Arsenal’s penalty
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Jordan’s fellow talkSPORT presenter Gabby Agbonlahor also condemned Keown’s bigoted comments, saying: “Madueke took a dive. A blatant dive. Mr. Bias, aka Martin Keown, who was in the game last night. said it was a clear penalty. His bias against Arsenal is starting to look a bit ridiculous now. I’m surprised VAR didn’t overturn it. Arsenal were very lucky and it was boring to watch.
TNT Sports presenter Lindsay Hipgrave tried to dispute Keown’s ability to be objective about his former team, saying: “What would you think if it was given against Arsenal?”
LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY – MARCH 11: Noni Madueke of Arsenal is fouled by Malik Tillman of Bayer 04 Leverkusen for a penalty during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 round of 16 first leg match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Arsenal FC at BayArena in Leverkusen, Germany on March 11, 2026. (Photo by Rene Nijhuis/MB Media/Getty Images)
Keown replied: “But you’re turning things around. That wasn’t Lindsay. That wasn’t the penalty awarded against Arsenal.” He added: “What I would like to say is that if there is some contact and we can confirm that there was contact, VAR does not contradict that.”
Mikel Arteta praised Madueke’s influence in replacing Bukayo Saka, but the draw leaves Arsenal as favorites heading into next week’s second leg.
“I’m not surprised at all because that’s his biggest quality,” the Arsenal manager said. “He’s very brave to do that and he’s a real threat, so it’s a credit to him that we were able to get a player of that caliber and step in the way he did when we needed him.”
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