LONDON – Mikel Arteta complained that Arsenal had been denied two “scandalous penalties” as the Premier League leaders were held to a bruising 0-0 draw by Newcastle on Tuesday.
The Gunners manager was furious that his side failed in their appeal for a spot kick in the final seconds of stoppage time after Jacob Murphy used his arm to block a cross in the penalty area.
He also complained that Dan Burn was guilty of a shirt pull on Arsenal defender Gabriel in the area earlier in the second half.
Both incidents would have been harsh on Newcastle if a penalty had been awarded, but Arteta was convinced Arsenal had been robbed.
“Extremely proud of my players. The way we played, dominated the game. We had so many situations. And then had two scandalous penalties,” he said.
“There were two penalties. It’s very simple. I’m talking about what I’ve seen. It was two scandalous penalties.”
Of the second penalty call, Newcastle boss Eddie Howe said: “Obviously at that stage of the game you’re thinking that would have been a travesty for us.
“I didn’t think it was a penalty but you just never know.”
Arsenal inevitably felt a touch of frustration at missing the chance to move 10 points clear of second-placed Manchester City (36) ahead of the champions’ game in hand at Chelsea on Thursday.
It was the first time in six games – and only the second in their last 11 – that Arsenal failed to take maximum points.
It was also the first time the Gunners have not scored this season in all competitions and the first time they have dropped home points while Newcastle have now kept 10 clean sheets.
“We lacked an extra touch or movement to finish these chances. But when you cannot win, you cannot lose and we kept a clean sheet,” Arteta said.
For Arsenal to be in control of the title race at the start of 2023 is remarkable enough after 19 years without winning the Premier League.
But the sight of Newcastle more than holding their own against the leaders is arguably even more unexpected.
Third-placed Newcastle, unbeaten in their last 12 league games, claimed a sixth consecutive clean sheet in all competitions.
The Magpies have made outstanding progress under Howe and the club’s Saudi-backed ownership group.
“It was a very good defensive display and great mentality from the group. The next step for us is to have a little bit more quality on the ball,” Howe said.
Separately, Howe said there is “no truth” in a report that Cristiano Ronaldo has a clause in his contract with Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr that would allow him to join the Magpies – who are 80 per cent owned by the Saudi Public Investment Fund – on loan if they qualify for the Champions League.
“From our point of view there’s no truth in that,” he said. AFP
