Mikel Arteta Asserts Arsenal Were Denied Clear Penalty In Inter Milan Defeat

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Mikel Arteta expressed his disappointment following Arsenal's narrow 1-0 loss to Inter in the Champions League. The match was decided by a penalty from Hakan Calhanoglu after Mikel Merino was penalised for a handball just before half-time. Arteta believed the decision was unfair, especially since Merino wasn't awarded a penalty earlier when he appeared to be fouled.

The incident involving Merino occurred when he seemed to beat Yann Sommer to a high ball in Inter's box and received a punch to the head. Despite a VAR review, no penalty was given. In contrast, the handball decision against Merino was swiftly confirmed. Arteta voiced his frustration, saying, "We were very harshly done by in the sense that is obvious. Both penalties."

Arteta further emphasised that if one penalty was given, the other should have been as well due to the clear contact made with Merino's head. He stated, "If you are going to give a penalty, the other one has to be because he punches him in the head." This inconsistency left Arteta feeling aggrieved about the officiating decisions.

Despite the defeat, Arteta took pride in his team's performance. He highlighted Arsenal's dominance over Inter, noting their improvement from a previous 1-0 loss at Newcastle United. "We should have scored a couple at least," Arteta remarked, praising his players' efforts and determination on the field.

Arteta also reintroduced Martin Odegaard as a late substitute after recovering from injury. This move aimed to bolster Arsenal's attacking options as they sought an equaliser against Inter's altered starting lineup. The manager remained optimistic about future matches, stating that with such performances, Arsenal could secure victories against strong opponents like Chelsea.

Arteta concluded by reflecting on how crucial decisions in the box can alter match outcomes significantly. He maintained that Arsenal's style of play demonstrated their potential to achieve success in upcoming fixtures.