Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was upset with the referee’s decision to give a penalty to Everton during their 1-1 draw on Saturday. The result was another setback for Arsenal’s chances of winning the Premier League title.
Leandro Trossard scored first for Arsenal, but Everton equalized after Iliman Ndiaye converted a penalty early in the second half. The referee, Darren England, awarded the penalty after Myles Lewis-Skelly was judged to have fouled Jack Harrison in the box.
Even though the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), Stuart Atwell, reviewed the incident, he didn’t overturn the decision. Replays showed there was very little contact between the players.
Arteta strongly disagreed with the call. “I’ve watched it 15 times,” he said. “In my opinion, it’s never a penalty. If it is, then Everton’s Jake O’Brien should have been sent off, and they should have played with 10 men. It’s very clear to me.”