Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed his frustration over Joao Pedro’s controversial penalty, calling it a decision he has “never seen” in his career. The decision proved pivotal as Arsenal were held to a 1-1 draw by Brighton, dealing a blow to their Premier League title aspirations.
The incident occurred just before the hour mark when Pedro flicked the ball upward, and William Saliba’s attempt to head it away resulted in contact with the Brazilian’s head. VAR reviewed the challenge and upheld the penalty decision, which Pedro converted to equalize after 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri had given Arsenal a first-half lead.
Arteta Questions VAR’s Judgment
Arteta was visibly frustrated post-match, voicing his disbelief at the decision:
“It’s a very disappointing decision. I’ve never seen anything like it in my career. I asked the players if they had, and nobody had witnessed such a call before. When you analyze the incident—the distance, Joao touching the ball, then Saliba going for it—it’s hard to justify the penalty.
“I spoke with the officials, but they said the review was completed in three seconds. That seems unusually quick for a decision of this magnitude.”
Pedro’s penalty marked his second goal against Arsenal this season, having also scored in the reverse fixture.
Arsenal’s Recent Form Worries
The draw extends a concerning run for the Gunners, who have now shared points in three of their last six league games. They sit five points behind league leaders Liverpool, who also have two games in hand and face Manchester United later today.
When asked about Arsenal’s potential need for reinforcements in the January transfer window, Arteta remained cautious:
“We can’t make decisions based on one match or one day. There are many factors, including the players we’ve lost recently. Hopefully, by Tuesday, we’ll be in a stronger position.”
Injury Setback for Rising Star Nwaneri
Adding to Arsenal’s woes, Ethan Nwaneri, who scored the opening goal and started his second consecutive league match, was substituted at halftime due to muscular issues. The 17-year-old had been filling in on the right wing, a position that has been problematic since Bukayo Saka sustained a hamstring injury.
Arteta confirmed the setback, stating:
“It’s really bad news. We’ve lost Ethan to muscular problems, and we had no choice but to take him off at halftime.”
The Gunners must now regroup quickly as Arteta faces the challenge of reshuffling his squad ahead of their next match. With injuries piling up and pressure mounting, Arsenal’s title chase appears to be hitting significant hurdles.
