Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has expressed strong disappointment over two key handball decisions that went against his team during their game against Manchester United at the Emirates.
Speaking after the game, Arteta stated that video evidence clearly showed the ball striking the arm of opponent Patrick Dorgu in the build-up to a decisive goal.
“For me, it was very clear,” Arteta said. “I’ve seen the replays many times and the ball did indeed hit Patrick Dorgu’s arm before the goal. It’s very difficult to understand why VAR didn’t intervene or why the referee didn’t see it as a foul. Decisions like this completely change the course of the game.”
Artera also highlighted a second incident where he believed his team should have been awarded a penalty. Arteta claimed the ball hit the hand of defender Harry Maguire, who was in an unnatural position while blocking a shot.
“We’re asking for consistency,” Arteta continued. “If similar incidents are awarded in other games, why not here? It makes us feel very aggrieved.”
The Spanish stressed that his comments were not an attempt to make excuses for the result, but a call for fairness.
“This isn’t about making excuses, but about fair play,” he explained. “Two big moments went against us, even though the evidence was there. It’s very disappointing when the outcome of a match is decided by details like this that should have been seen more clearly with the help of technology.”