Mikel Livid On Penalty Claims

chekohler (70)in #arsenal • 2 years ago

Arsenal were left frustrated last night having had to play nearly 100 minutes against Newcastle and still ending up with a 0-0 draw. Arsenal had 67% of the ball possession, having 17 attempts on target and 4 on goal, which is not a great conversion but still enough to have secured 1 goal.

The gunners were throwing everything at the magpies and the desperate defending and constant pressure saw around four penalty shouts across the game with the referee not budging to a single one.

Arteta called the decisions scandalous and the frustration was only compounded by Eddie Howes team's constant time-wasting tactics.

Arsenal scream for a penalty
Image source: - theguardian.com

While I can understand his claims and I've seen softer penalties given it's no excuse and the gunners lacked conviction in the final third. Nketiah had a golden chance to put the game to bed but missed and that just shows the small margins top strikers have and how they make it count.

Dropping 2 points might not seem like a big deal but when you have Man City breathing down your neck you want to ensure that every point you can get you to take it with a firm hand. To keep the distance between them and you.

Arsenal now faces Oxford in the FA cup before a North London Derby against a wounded Spurs in the league, followed by a trip to Man United.