Arteta bemoans penalty choice as Arsenal are held by Brighton

Mikel Arteta stated he was “disillusioned” by the choice to award a second-half penalty to Brighton as Arsenal had been held to a 1-1 draw on the Amex Stadium on Saturday night.

Arteta’s facet had been aiming to shut the hole on runaway Premier League leaders Liverpool, who play Manchester United on Sunday, however failed to say all three factors on the south coast regardless of taking a first-half lead by teenager Ethan Nwaneri.

The Gunners had been pegged again after the break because the hosts made a spirited comeback. Fabian Hurzeler’s facet had been rewarded for his or her efforts after they got a penalty after William Saliba tried to go the ball clear however as a substitute caught the top of striker Joao Pedro.

The Brazilian dispatched the spot-kick and from there Brighton squandered a few half-chances to win the sport late on.

Sharing the factors in Brighton.

An opportunity to show the web page shortly on Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/OvxH20cvqa

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 4, 2025

However the Gunners’ boss felt the choice by referee Anthony Taylor to award the penalty was a harsh one.

“We’re disillusioned as a result of we needed to win the sport,” Arteta informed Sky Sports activities.

“We began the sport with some good actions and scored a very good purpose. We knew it was going to be a very aggressive and difficult sport.

“However we competed. It wasn’t our greatest day, particularly with the ball within the second half. We’ve away so many easy balls away, they didn’t actually enable us to dominate the sport.

“I can’t fault the hassle, the depth, and the way a lot we needed it however doing the straightforward issues need to be proper in opposition to a very good staff. At the moment wasn’t to the requirements required to win the sport.

“And we’re very disillusioned with the best way he [referee Anthony Taylor] has given the penalty. I’ve by no means seen it in my life. For me it’s a transparent no.”

A win for Arsenal would have taken them to inside three factors of Liverpool. As it’s, the Gunners at present path Arne Slot’s facet by 5 factors having performed two video games extra.

However Arteta opted to not interact with questions on their title rivals and as a substitute maintain the give attention to his personal gamers.

“At the moment we needed to win the sport and we haven’t been ready to do this,” added Arteta.

“There are issues for certain that we’ve got to enhance. We’re very disillusioned as nicely with the [penalty] choice and, after that, we’ve got to try to be higher within the subsequent sport.”

Subsequent up for the Gunners is the go to of in-form Newcastle within the first leg of the Carabao semi-final on Tuesday.