Controversial Penalty Decision Costs Arsenal in Crucial Champions League Clash Against Inter Milan

Arsenal had a tough game at San Siro, losing 1-0 to Inter Milan due to a very controversial penalty decision. Mikel Arteta’s team was looking for a win to break their recent streak of three games without a victory in the Premier League. But their Champions League hopes were affected by a call that has left Arsenal fans frustrated.

The big moment came just before halftime when Arsenal’s Mikel Merino was called for a handball in the penalty area. Merino barely had time to react when the ball hit his hand after deflecting off Inter’s Mehdi Taremi’s foot from close range. However, in the Champions League, handball rules are very strict, and the referee, Istvan Kovacs, decided it was a penalty. Inter Milan scored from the spot, and Arsenal fans couldn’t believe it.

Former Arsenal defender Matt Upson, who was commentating on the game, was shocked by the decision. He said, “I can’t believe this is a penalty. Merino’s hand was in a natural position.” Upson explained that in the Premier League, this wouldn’t be called a penalty, as referees consider the closeness between players and the ball’s speed.

Upson didn’t hold back, calling the decision “ridiculous” and adding, “Arsenal were the better team at that point, and it’s just crazy to call a penalty for something like that.”

Upson also pointed out how the Champions League rules on handballs seem stricter than the Premier League’s. He mentioned that English referees understand the idea of “proximity,” meaning how close the players are to each other, and how fast the ball is moving. But European rules often don’t make those considerations.

Adding to Arsenal’s bad luck, Merino was already involved in another check for a penalty earlier in the game. He collided with Inter’s goalkeeper, Yann Sommer, but VAR reviewed it and decided it wasn’t a penalty. Just a few moments later, the referee awarded a penalty against him for the handball, which felt like a harsh decision.

Arsenal supporters are not only frustrated with this call but with how the Champions League rules seem different from the Premier League. Fans feel their team was treated unfairly by a rule that didn’t consider the situation fully.