Article by Daniel Grigore – published on Saturday, April 05, 2025, 18:23 / Updated on Saturday, April 5, 2025 6:24 pm
Mikel Arteta, 43, Arsenal's manager, claimed the penalty received by Everton in today's direct match, concluded, score 1-1.
Arsenal had the chance to approach 9 points to Liverpool leader, but failed to win on Goodison Park. “Tunarii” led thanks to the goal scored by Leandro Trossard (Minute 34) but have been matched from a penalty transformed by ILIMAN NDIAYE in the 49th minute.
The “central” Darren England gave the hosts a punishment for a supposed foul committed by Myles Lewis-Skelly on Jack Harrison.
The young left defender had his hand on the opponent outside the box, then unbalanced in the punishment surface and fell with his opponent. From the resumptions offered on the transmission, it seemed to be easy contact between the “tunar” hip and the opponent's feet, something unlikely to cause Harrison's fall.
At the press conference, Mikel Arta challenged the referee's decision. “I have seen the phase 15 times, it was never a penalty,” said Arsenal's manager.
Mikel Artteta “tuna” after Everton – Arsenal: “I saw the phase 15 times. Never penalty!”
“I think we deserved more, but that's all we got. It's a complicated field, they do their game very well, constantly throwing balls to our last line, with a direct game and actions on the second ball. But even so I think I didn't give them any opportunity in this match, which is truly positive.
I had 1-0, a few big occasions, with demarcations in space, but I did not take advantage of the opportunities.
In the second part I said: «Let's start well, dominate the game. They will be more aggressive and we will have more spaces ». But I fixed the opposite, I gave the ball directly to the goalkeeper, and they played directly and the referee decided to give a penalty that changed the game course.
I am here to offer my opinion, and after seeing the phase 15 times, I can say that in no case it was a penalty! If that is a penalty, then O'Brien had to be eliminated, and Everton to play in 10 people.
We had two big opportunities to win the match, but we did not make sure, so we have to accept this point, “said Artea at the press conference.
Previously, at the flash-interview for TNT Sports, the Iberian manager had stated: “For me, it is never a penalty! And it came at a very bad time, because we had just resumed the game.”
Arsenal risks ending the 31st championship stage at 14 points behind Liverpool, if the “cormorants” will defeat Fulham, London on Sunday evening.
