Mikel Arteta mentioned he was “upset” by the choice to award a second-half penalty to Brighton as Arsenal have been held to a 1-1 draw on the Amex Stadium on Saturday night.
Arteta’s facet have been aiming to shut the hole on runaway Premier League leaders Liverpool, who play Manchester United on Sunday, however failed to assert all three factors on the south coast regardless of taking a first-half lead by way of teenager Ethan Nwaneri.
The Gunners have been pegged again after the break because the hosts made a spirited comeback. Fabian Hurzeler’s facet have been rewarded for his or her efforts once they got a penalty after William Saliba tried to move the ball clear however as an alternative caught the pinnacle of striker Joao Pedro.
The Brazilian dispatched the spot-kick and from there Brighton squandered a few half-chances to win the sport late on.
Sharing the factors in Brighton.
An opportunity to show the web page shortly on Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/OvxH20cvqa
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 4, 2025
However the Gunners’ boss felt the choice by referee Anthony Taylor to award the penalty was a harsh one.
“We’re upset as a result of we wished to win the sport,” Arteta instructed Sky Sports activities.
“We began the sport with some good actions and scored a extremely good objective. We knew it was going to be a extremely aggressive and difficult recreation.
“However we competed. It wasn’t our greatest day, particularly with the ball within the second half. Now we have away so many easy balls away, they didn’t actually permit us to dominate the sport.
“I can’t fault the hassle, the depth, and the way a lot we wished it however doing the easy issues need to be proper towards a extremely good crew. At this time wasn’t to the requirements required to win the sport.
“And we’re very upset with the way in which he [referee Anthony Taylor] has given the penalty. I’ve by no means seen it in my life. For me it’s a transparent no.”
A win for Arsenal would have taken them to inside three factors of Liverpool. As it’s, the Gunners at present path Arne Slot’s facet by 5 factors having performed two video games extra.
However Arteta opted to not have interaction with questions on their title rivals and as an alternative maintain the concentrate on his personal gamers.
“At this time we wished to win the sport and we haven’t been in a position to try this,” added Arteta.
“There are issues for certain that we’ve to enhance. We’re very upset as properly with the [penalty] resolution and, after that, we’ve to attempt to be higher within the subsequent recreation.”
Subsequent up for the Gunners is the go to of in-form Newcastle within the first leg of the Carabao semi-final on Tuesday.
