Mikel Arteta fumed at the decision to award Brighton and Hove Albion a penalty after Arsenal dropped more points in the Premier League by drawing 1-1 at the AMEX Stadium on Saturday evening. Ethan Nwaneri opened the scoring for the Gunners in the first half before Joao Pedro equalised from the spot after the break.
William Saliba caught Joao Pedro with his head after mistiming a clearance inside the visitors' box. After taking his time to weigh up the decision, Anthony Taylor pointed to the spot.
A rapid VAR review confirmed the call before the Brazilian forward sent David Raya the one way to earn the out-of-form hosts a point.
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Arsenal supporters shared their outrage on social media, arguing that Saliba made contact with the ball before the clash of heads with Joao Pedro.
Shortly after Brighton levelled the score, the Premier League explained the decision via the Premier League Match Centre account on X.
A statement read: "The referee’s call of penalty for a foul by Saliba on João Pedro was checked and confirmed by VAR, who deemed there was sufficient contact for a penalty."
But Arteta joined in on the disgruntlement after full-time, expressing his disbelief that VAR didn't overturn Taylor's decision.
"Bizarre. That means we have probably never seen it before. I haven't in my career. So it is a new one," Arteta explained on the south coast.
He added: "We are really disappointed with the decision that leads to the goal because I have never seen something like this in my life. He touches the ball as well."
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler later strongly disagreed with Arteta's stance in an interview with BBC Match of the Day.
He said: "We think we deserved more. We had the better chances and weren't able to score the second goal. In the end, we have to take the positives.
"It was a clear penalty. It is head to head, but if it is another piece of the body, everybody would say it was a penalty.
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"Joao Pedro places the ball with his head, and Saliba comes too late. Therefore, it was a clear one."
Arsenal have won just three of their last six Premier League games, also stumbling to draws against Everton and Fulham.
Liverpool can move eight points ahead of Arteta's side at the summit - with a game in hand - by defeating Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday.
Arsenal now face five consecutive home matches in four different competitions: Tottenham and Aston Villa in the Premier League, Newcastle in the Carabao Cup, United in the FA Cup and Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League.
