adminFormer Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has dismissed Mikel Arteta’s insistence that Arsenal were denied a penalty in their draw with Nottingham Forest.
Arsenal travelled to the City Ground knowing a win would put them nine points clear at the top of the Premier League. Instead, they were forced to settle for a 0–0 stalemate after Forest battled hard to earn a point in the East Midlands.
Arteta was left frustrated not only by his side’s inability to break down the hosts, but also by a controversial second-half moment that he felt should have resulted in a penalty. The Arsenal boss claimed Ola Aina committed a clear handball while trying to keep the ball in play.
However, speaking on Ref Watch on Sky Sports News, Gallagher firmly disagreed, backing referee Michael Oliver’s decision to wave play on.
“It’s absolutely not a penalty,” Gallagher explained. “The ball comes off his shoulder first, and Elliot Anderson bumps into him, which pushes him toward the ball. His arm is in a natural position, and there’s really nothing to debate.”
Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche echoed that view after the match, insisting both the on-field officials and VAR got the call right.
“If those are given as penalties, then we might as well pack it in,” Dyche said. “That would be ridiculous. The rules need common sense — you can’t be handing out penalties for situations like that.”
Despite his disappointment, Arteta will take encouragement from the weekend’s results elsewhere. Manchester City and Aston Villa both dropped points in defeats to Manchester United and Everton, leaving Arsenal seven points clear at the top of the table.
The Gunners now turn their attention to Sunday’s clash with Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium.
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