Article by Aurelian Botezatu – Published Sunday, January 18, 2026, 09:07 / Updated Sunday, January 18, 2026 09:10
Arsenal only managed a goalless draw away to Nottingham Forest and missed the opportunity to move 9 points clear at the top of the table.
Mikel Arteta believes Arsenal should have been awarded a penalty in the 80th minute. The ball hit Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest) on the arm in the penalty area, but VAR ruled it was legal, claiming the defender's arm was in a “natural position”.
Mikel Arteta: “I think the intention is clear, a penalty should have been awarded”
However, the manager of the “gunners”, Mikel Arteta, did not want to accept the verdict of the referees. “We created four very, very, very big chances and had a clear penalty, but we couldn't win the game.
I've just seen the replays, I think it's a clear intention to clear the ball from the box and it's a clear penalty kick so I don't understand why it wasn't awarded“, complained the Spanish technician.
Former referee Mark Halsey contradicts Mikel Arteta
Contacted by The Sun tabloid and asked to comment on the phase, former FIFA referee Mark Halsey, however, gives the referees the right. “In the 79th minute of the match at the City Ground between Nottingham Forest and Arsenal, Ola Aina's tackle appeared in the box. The ball hits his arm, but in my opinion his arms are in a natural position at that stage.
His arms are raised and come down as the ball comes down as well. Yes, it hits him in the arm, but it's not an intentional act. So, in my opinion, Michael Oliver and VAR made absolutely the right decision. It wasn't a penalty kick for me,” concluded Halsey.
Elsewhere, Mikel Arteta admitted that his team needed to make more of their own opportunities: “We had to be better, more effective. When you have four clear chances to score you have to capitalize on them. We have to work and improve.”
