Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has expressed his strong disagreement with the penalty decision awarded to Everton in their recent match. The incident, which sparked controversy among players and fans alike, saw an Everton player go down in the box, prompting the referee to point to the spot.
Arteta, however, was adamant that the contact was insufficient to warrant a penalty. "It's never a penalty," he stated emphatically. "There's not enough contact. The contact starts outside. Inside the box, there is nothing." The Arsenal manager argued that any contact that did occur was incidental and did not justify the awarding of a penalty.
Arteta also took issue with the role of VAR in the decision. He felt that the video assistant referee had a crucial part to play in assessing the incident, particularly in determining whether the contact occurred inside or outside the box. "If there is any contact inside the box, then O'Brien has to be off," Arteta said. "He had a yellow card and stopped David Raya from playing it out."
The Arsenal manager's comments highlight the ongoing debate surrounding VAR and its impact on the game. Arteta's frustration with the decision is understandable, given the high stakes and intense competition in the Premier League. The controversy surrounding the penalty incident will likely continue to be discussed and analyzed by fans and pundits in the days to come.
As the manager of Arsenal, Arteta has a deep understanding of the game and its intricacies. His opinions on the penalty incident carry weight, and his disagreement with the decision reflects the passion and intensity that defines the sport. While opinions may vary on the incident, one thing is certain: the debate surrounding VAR and its role in the game will continue to be a topic of discussion for fans and players alike.