Politis

Arteta Expresses Disappointment Over Disallowed Penalty in Arsenal Draw

Published January 18, 2026, 13:16
Arteta Expresses Disappointment Over Disallowed Penalty in Arsenal Draw

Mikel Arteta voiced his frustration with the refereeing decisions following Arsenal's 0-0 draw against Nottingham Forest. Arteta argued that his team was unfairly denied a clear penalty for a foul on Nigerian defender Ola Aina, stating that the decision was incomprehensible. Despite his disappointment, he acknowledged Nottingham Forest's strong organization and ability to disrupt Arsenal's attacking momentum. He also noted that his team created several opportunities but failed to capitalize on them. The Premier League's Match Centre analysis indicated that the ball initially struck Aina's shoulder, justifying the non-call. However, Arteta disagreed with the interpretation, insisting that the sequence of events and the intent were clear and warranted a penalty. He expressed his frustration at missing the opportunity to extend Arsenal's lead over their title rivals. This match represented a chance for Arsenal to solidify their position at the top of the table, but the draw left them with only a seven-point advantage over Manchester City and Aston Villa. Manchester City's defeat to Manchester United helped Arsenal maintain their lead, but the team's performance against Nottingham Forest raised concerns. Arteta emphasized the need for the team to improve in specific areas of attack and to better convert their chances. He reaffirmed the team's determination to win every game, but acknowledged that the season is a marathon and requires continuous effort and improvement.