Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta insists officials missed a 'clear penalty' in Burnley draw

Mikel Arteta insists officials missed a ‘clear penalty’ for handball in Arsenal’s draw at Burnley but frustrated Spaniard says his side should have won by ‘two or three goals’

  • Mikel Arteta fumed that Arsenal weren’t given a ‘clear penalty’ in Burnley draw
  • Erik Pieters appeared to handle the ball but VAR denied Arsenal’s penalty claims
  • Arteta said the Gunners should have won the match by ‘two or three goals’  

A rueful Mikel Arteta lamented the video assistant referee’s miss of a ‘clear penalty’ in Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Burnley, and claimed his side should have won by ‘two or three goals’. 

The Gunners dropped two much-needed points despite Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang putting them ahead after just six minutes. Granit Xhaka’s clanger of a pass that rebounded off Chris Wood and into the net saw Burnley secure a point on Saturday. 

But Arsenal had two potential handball shouts denied by officials, with Burnley defender Erik Pieters was the culprit in both handballs.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said his side were denied a 'clear penalty' against Burnley

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said his side were denied a ‘clear penalty’ against Burnley

Burnley defender Erik Pieters (blocked) appeared to handle the ball in the box in the first half

Burnley defender Erik Pieters (blocked) appeared to handle the ball in the box in the first half

The first appeared to be a clear cut infringement as Pieters moved his hand towards the ball that Nicolas Pepe was seeking to put past him. But VAR rejected Arsenal’s claims. 

‘It’s a really tough place to come and a difficult pitch,’ Arteta said. 

‘I have to say that if you give the goal to the opponent, and you don’t get the decision, which is a clear penalty, in the Premier League… it’s pretty complicated.’

Arsenal created several chances and also hit the woodwork in what ended up a frustrating afternoon for Arteta’s men.

‘The only chance they had was a long kick,’ he said. ‘It can happen when you play short. This is football. You’re going to have moments where they put you under pressure and the game becomes exactly what they want. 

VAR checks twice overturned handball decisions in Burnley's favour, who earned a 1-1 draw

VAR checks twice overturned handball decisions in Burnley’s favour, who earned a 1-1 draw

Calum Chambers (right) also hit the woodwork in a frustrating afternoon overall for Arsenal

Calum Chambers (right) also hit the woodwork in a frustrating afternoon overall for Arsenal

‘Still with that, you have to come and win the game. If you don’t, then we have to look at ourselves and not find any excuses. 

We completely dominated the first half. We felt comfortable, and should have been two or three goals up.’

Arteta afforded Burnley some credit for their resolute defending, but reiterated that Arsenal should have won the game comfortably.  

‘The way they play, they make it very difficult. We generated chances, and should have won the game. You have to come here and win by two or three goals when you produce a performance like that. 

‘If you give hope to any team in the Premier League, they are going to take it.’

The draw leaves Arsenal 10th in the league, seven points adrift of the European football positions.  

source: dailymail.co.uk