Arsenal get away with freak penalty incident as Thomas Tuchel admits ref saw 'kid's error'

Arsenal star Gabriel picked up the ball in the penalty area after David Raya took a goal kick (Image: TNT Sports)

Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel claimed that referee Glenn Nyberg saw Arsenal defender Gabriel handle the ball in the penalty area but opted not to award the Bundesliga side a penalty. In an enthralling Champions League clash at the Emirates Stadium, Bayern felt they should have been given a spot-kick after a bizarre incident at a Gunners goal kick.

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Nyberg whistled for Raya to take his kick, before the Spaniard passed to Gabriel. Incredibly, the Arsenal star picked up the ball before placing it down again and restarting play by taking the goal kick himself.

Replays appear to show Nyberg with his back to play as Gabriel handles the ball but the Swedish official allegedly insisted to Tuchel that he saw the incident. He chose not to award a penalty as he deemed Gabriel to have made a “kids’ mistake”.

Bayern players, including Harry Kane, appealed for a penalty at the time but saw their protestations waved away. The incident had not been made clear to viewers until Tuchel raised it in his post-match interview with TNT Sports.

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Watch all the Premier League and Champions League drama unfold on TNT Sports

Thomas Tuchel claimed referee Glenn Nyberg saw the incident in which Gabriel handled the ball (Image: TNT Sports)

He later said in his press conference: "The referee made a huge mistake. I know it was a crazy situation. They put the ball down, he whistles and the defender takes the ball with his hands.

“What makes us really angry is the explanation on the pitch. He told our players it was a 'kid's mistake' and he won't give a penalty for that in a Champions League quarter-final.

“It's a horrible, horrible explanation. Kids’ mistake, adult's mistake, whatever - we feel angry because it was a huge decision against us.”

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READ MORE Arsenal star Gabriel Jesus set to have surgery as Brazilian makes sad admission

Arsenal felt they should have had a penalty of their own deep into added time. Bukayo Saka went down under Manuel Neuer’s challenge but Nyberg once again waved play on, much to the anger of the Gunners winger after the full-time whistle.

Nyberg had earlier pointed to the spot to award Bayern a spot-kick. Harry Kane made the score 2-1 after former Arsenal star Serge Gnabry cancelled out Saka’s opener.

Leandro Trossard’s second-half goal set up an exciting return leg in Munich next Wednesday. But both sides will feel they should be going into that game with an advantage having been denied penalties.

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Arsenal get away with freak penalty incident as Thomas Tuchel admits ref saw 'kid's error'

Arsenal get away with freak penalty incident as Thomas Tuchel admits ref saw 'kid's error'

Arsenal get away with freak penalty incident as Thomas Tuchel admits ref saw 'kid's error'

Arsenal get away with freak penalty incident as Thomas Tuchel admits ref saw 'kid's error'

Arsenal get away with freak penalty incident as Thomas Tuchel admits ref saw 'kid's error'