Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was left frustrated with the officiating in Wednesday's Champions League loss to Inter.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has expressed frustration over what he called 'very harsh' officiating in his team’s 1-0 loss to Inter Milan in the Champions League.
The match's lone goal resulted from a controversial first-half penalty, given after Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino was judged to have handled the ball in the box.
The decision sparked debate, as replays showed there was little Merino could do to avoid contact when Mehdi Taremi’s flick struck his hand.
Arteta didn’t hold back on his disappointment in a tense post-match interview.
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“I feel like we were very harshly done tonight in the sense that is obvious,” he said via TNT Sports.
“One of them, both penalties. Especially if you’re going to give that one for the Merino handball then the other one has to be 100 percent a penalty.”
The second incident Arteta referred to occurred earlier in the first half, when Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer appeared to make contact with Merino's head while attempting to punch clear a cross from Gabriel Martinelli.
The Arsenal players appealed for a penalty, but after a VAR review, the on-field decision stood, much to the Gunners’ frustration.
This loss deals a blow to Arsenal's Champions League campaign, but Arteta is optimistic about the team's resilience.
Looking ahead to their next match, he expressed confidence in their ability to respond.
“The way we played tonight against Inter the team can go to Chelsea and win,” he expressed.
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Arsenal will face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in what promises to be a high-stakes encounter on Sunday as they aim to regain their momentum.